A bit about myself.

I'll take this time to say Hau, Osiyo, Hello.

My legal name is Donald Ray Watkins II. My Indigenous name is Red Bear, which is Mato Sa in Lakota and Yonv Gigage in Cherokee. My indigenous ancestors were Lakota, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Lenape. Every branch of my family tree is mixed with the indigenous peoples of North America. On my European side my ancestors were Scottish, Irish, Welsh, English, and Sicilian. My life shows that I lean toward my Indigenous ancestry more so than my European ancestry.

Being mostly American Indian I lean toward the natural side of things. I only hunt and fish to put food on the table. I do not do either for sport. I use tobacco in moderation and my intake of alcohol is almost zero. I will share my culture with those who have a true desire to learn about it. I do not take money for this for it was given to me freely and I must pass it along to others in the same manner. If someone wants to pay for my meal or gift me with something I do accept their generosity, but is not required of them. I'm no medicine man, holy man, etc. I'm just a guy that has the ability to do a few things in the old ways.

I have never been to a reservation in my life. However, the current economic situation has given me the opportunity to learn in a minor way what it might be like. The economy took my seasonal job from me, so I'm unemployed. Second Harvest gives food to the needy every couple of months and we stand in line to get our food. My wife and I have two older vehicles and both need some work. We have plenty and have a roof over out heads and that's all that matters. I thank Wakan Tanka for providing us with the things we do have. Without our Creator and Mother Earth we could not survive.

I enjoy many things and have a wide variety of interests. I am a Civil War Reenactor with Porter's Battery CSA. I currently represent them as their 2nd Lt. Staff Adjutant. I enjoy writing poetry and songs along with playing guitar and singing. I enjoy astronomy, all kinds of history, genealogy, blacksmithing, woodworking, slapstick comedy, camping, and NASCAR.

My wife, Suzanne, and I have been married since May 27, 1989. She was married previously and has one son, Robert, by her first husband. Robert will soon be 31 years old. We have one yellow lab, Elmo and one wolf hybrid, Kanati. Both of them are silly boys and they are as much family members as anyone else.

Well, I add more later on.