[3][4] Chief Standing Bear took office after the Osage received a landmark settlement from the federal government to settle claims of mismanagement of revenues due tribal members from leased mineral rights.

[citation needed] Under his administration, the Osage Nation worked to increase their communal landholdings, acquiring more than 50,000 acres of mostly former reservation land.

This total includes the tribe's purchase from Ted Turner of the 43,000-acre Bluestem Ranch, located in historically Osage territory.

[citation needed] The tribe has challenged the Oklahoma Attorney General's office with regard to tribal sovereignty and water/mineral rights.

Not only were numerous Osage hired as actors and extras, but others were employed as technical staff behind the cameras, and were involved in research and creation of historically accurate costumes and sets.