Geoffrey M. Standing Bear is an attorney and distinguished public servant who has dedicated his life to advancing Tribal Native Sovereignty, expanding cultural preservation, and protecting the territorial rights of Indigenous communities. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 1980. Standing Bear built a legal career spanning more than three decades. During his private practice, he participated in some of the earliest and most foundational Indian gaming cases in Oklahoma, later serving as General Counsel to the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association. His commitment to tribal governance was demonstrated early on through his roles as Assistant Principal Chief of the Osage Tribe and later as a member of the Osage Nation Congress. He was then elected to three consecutive terms as Principal Chief of the Osage Nation. As Chief, Standing Bear led the Nation through an era characterized by significant territorial expansion and cultural revitalization. Under his administration, the Nation grew its land base, fortified its sovereignty, and established robust initiatives to restore the Osage language as a living, daily means of communication. In recognition of his impactful governance, Oklahoma Magazine named him an Oklahoman of the Year in 2017. Central to his leadership philosophy is a profound dedication to future generations. Operating on the conviction that the longevity of the Nation relies on its youth, Chief Standing Bear championed a collective responsibility to protect, nurture, and support Osage children as the true foundation for long-term cultural continuity and tribal sovereignty. Following his service as Principal Chief, Standing Bear returned to the legal field, joining the Tulsa-based law firm Riggs Abney Neal Turpen Orbison & Lewis. In this role, his mission is to establish a dedicated Native American law section within the firm, utilizing his decades of specialized executive and legal experience.