David Walks-As-Bear
David Walks-As-Bear is an award winning author of novels and non-fiction books. He speaks at many gatherings, ranging from author panels at writer's conferences, to libraries to Veterans' functions to Native American cultural events. He is an American Kispoko Shawnee Indian, and past president of the Native American Preservation Council. He is an Inter-Tribal Elder. A retired U.S. Coast Guard Reserve Photojournalist, he works as a game warden and detective captain in the Great Lake State.
When not writing, speaking at an event, appearing on TV or radio, he is usually working in the woods. He and his family reside in Northwest Michigan and spend time in Hawaii.
Contact him at The White Lake Beacon: 231-894-5356 or visit his website at: www.Walks-As-Bear.com
Contact Information
Articles by David Walks-As-Bear
January 23, 2012
Like many things The Creator has made, trees don´t always do as you expect them to do – they do… as they must.
December 05, 2011
Our nation is not a simple toy to be played with, by spiteful unlearned children, and yet, this is what we are allowing, because the elected… "R" Us.
November 25, 2011
Black Friday shoppers dance to the beat of the marketing drummer. But the only ´beat´ that should go on, is that of the 'heart'.
November 10, 2011
"Suffer´n Succotash!" wasn´t coined by Daffy Duck. It was the Indians of New England that first uttered the word and they weren´t talking about no Duck a l'Orange, either.
November 11, 2011
Traditional American Indians are often much different than Modern "Native Americans".
October 18, 2011
Indian Posies are all about maintaining life – not taking it.
October 18, 2011
While Smoke Signals made for cool old western movies, the reality of how smoke signals were used isn´t complex or eerily supernatural.
October 18, 2011
Traditional American Indian animal symbols and their totems represent the physical form of a two-legged´s spirit helper, and the nika (goose) does this well.
September 29, 2011
While other parts of the nation have had it rough, here in the Midwest the harvest is bountiful. We sure won´t need to yield to this year´s… ´yield´.
September 19, 2011
I say these words, like all Traditional American Indians before me, because they need to be said. Who am I to argue their worth, or especially... to refuse to say them, eh?
September 19, 2011
Dallying in being "green" is just a shady, money-rich, "Chicago Dream".
September 11, 2011
"The Famous Five Lakes Fracas" is akin to the Sammy Johns song about love-making in a "Chevy van" and hey… that´s alright with me.
September 09, 2011
The word pau-wau, also known as pow-wow comes originally from the Narragansett Indians. And guess what – it means "spiritual leaders", or a meeting thereof.
August 28, 2011
The referee in this current game of politics is the Guy that wrote the rule book, and He knows it like the back of His… ´Psalm´, er… palm.
August 19, 2011
Last week I was talking with Rick & John – the guys on the oldies rock station in Muskegon, Michigan´s – 98.3 FM. They do a weekly morning show on Saturdays. In addition to playing classic old rock and song requests, they run call-in contests and chat about all kinds of nostalgia from the 19...
August 13, 2011
My wife and I share a notion that about 94.7% of the movies that they make nowadays are straight, old, flat-out garbage. They´re either worthless for plot, acting and/or storyline, or are so devoid of any merit, of any kind whatsoever… that I´m amazed that they even see the light of day...
July 25, 2011
Walks-As-Bear notes: to deal with the heat - watch the wild ones.
July 16, 2011
This reality show is called: "Getting away with child murder"
July 16, 2011
The standard of law states "beyond a reasonable doubt" not... beyond any shadow of doubt. They are different. One requires the juror to reason and the other... doesn't.
July 02, 2011
Watermelons have a long history with American Indians because of its tasty flavor and super high medicinal benefits. They're great for you... and your 4th of July picnic... too.
June 25, 2011
We should watch and listen to the little ones - they can teach us much more than we think.
June 17, 2011
To traditional American Indians, and grouse alike... drumming is a voice that equates to the heartbeat.
June 17, 2011
Wildflowers are nice to look at, smell so sweet and are as tasty as all get-out… to eat.
June 07, 2011
Changing the name of ´Illegal Immigrants´ to ´Undocumented Immigrants' is brand-changing that is neither right, nor acceptable.
May 27, 2011
Putting this White Man's Foot in your mouth may ward-off snake bites.
May 27, 2011
Obama is 'Selling' us and our ally... 'Down the River'
May 27, 2011
Memorial Day honors those who... assure America's History
May 03, 2011
Walks-As-Bear notes that about 65-75% of what the government and most of the media tell us would draw flies if left in the open. So, he offers an old saying that he feels has worth for the nation's state of being today: "Sure you can Trust the Government – Just Ask an Indian".
April 21, 2011
Centuries before other folks arrived here, American Indians were enjoying the nutty, meaty flavor of moo-zonadow-ags… or morel mushrooms.
April 23, 2011
Easter: 'Nut'n up my sleeve - presto! - a rabbit out of the hat. But only the Son of God... can arise from the dead.
April 12, 2011
The lines between the sides become more definitive each day, those who are solidly traditional American versus those who wish to change the country into something socialist.
March 18, 2011
Yeah, man! Melo´ kami (spring) is almost... and isn´t almost... here. Hoo-ray! Yeah, yeah, I know – it sounds goofy. But really, that´s the way March is sometimes. We can have a string of super warm days and then a sudden snow flurry, piling up gobs of the white stuff. So, wh...
March 18, 2011
Walks-As-Bear relays how maple sugaring was changed.
March 20, 2011
Soggy & muddy, and finding lost treasure in the newly melted snow is... just an Endaso-zeegwan, or a… ´Every Spring´… thing"
February 19, 2011
"Trust me, a midwinter thaw is normal and heck… that´s why they call it "Indian Summer" in the first place, because… it´s natural. Yep, the most logical synonym for the word natural… is normal… or Creator designed."
February 13, 2011
Walks-As-Bear opines that Valentine's Day is too singular. You don´t just say gi-zah-gi-in (I love you) once a year. Love isn´t poetic – it has no rhyme or reason. You say it 365 days a year – you have to.
February 05, 2011
In the 1960´s, we didn´t have computers, cell phones, electronic games or DVD players. The only good stuff on TV came on at night time – Gun Smoke, The Rat Patrol, Hogan´s Heroes, Star Trek, etc. So a kid had to find fun were they could; in the winter, after morning cartoons, this usually involved snow.
January 30, 2011
"You don´t want to swing away from one demon… only to run, smack dab… into another one... right?"
January 22, 2011
Walks-As-Bear notes that we always have to look farther... than just a first glance.
January 15, 2011
Walks-As-Bear notes that the accusations after the Tucson, AZ Shooting are nothing but Demagoguery - Plain and Simple
August 25, 2010
Walks-As-Bear notes that the monkey business going on... is much more dangerous than a simple 'monkey see - monkey do' affair.
September 03, 2010
Labor Day be be a big three-day deal to most people but to Walks-As-Bear... it smells.
August 15, 2010
According to Walks-As-Bear, a bird in-hand... is a lot better than a bird in the fan.
August 15, 2010
Walks-As-Bear notes that 'Hot' is a matter of personal preference.
August 01, 2010
Ah the Blackberry Moon. Sure, and this full moon gets its moniker because this is the time of this fruit´s ripening. But, it´s often called by other names, too. For instance, in many places in the northern Great Lakes, it´s known as the Sturgeon Moon. It got this title because ...
July 24, 2010
Waks-As-Bear notes that the Red Journalism assures that you CAN'T believe... what you see, read or hear... anymore.
July 09, 2010
Walks-As-Bear notes that humming birds and moths can have more in common than you think.
July 16, 2010
Walks-As-Bear notes that ´No Spring Chicken´itis´ is a malady that we all catch, sooner or later.
June 25, 2010
Life can be funny to a simpleton and Walks-As-Bear knows it!
June 25, 2010
Walks-As-Bear notes that freedom is in jeopardy, but hope exists for liberty on this Independence Day.
June 17, 2010
Walks-As-Bear is at war with a squirrel and like all wars... it isn't pretty.
June 06, 2010
Walks-As-Bear notes that Memorial Day is great, but that it's the nation's warriors... who've made it so.
June 06, 2010
The Creator's majesty is everywhere... even in the simplist of things like... a leaf.
June 06, 2010
If it works for one then it works for the other - where there's fire... there's smoke, too.
May 16, 2010
Walks-As-Bear notes that "Keeping America Beautiful" is a 'part' we can all play.
May 16, 2010
Ya know, there´s an old adage that goes, ´Where there´s smoke, there´s fire´. Yet, where there´s fire, there´s also smoke. I was watching TV recently; there was a big firefight – a shoot ´em-up, bang-bang on the screen. That´s when the smokele...
May 02, 2010
Walks-As-Bear notes that spring is the 'hot time' for wildfires and that American Indians.... utilized fire for far more than cooking and keeping cozy.
April 18, 2010
The Moons of the Native Americans tell what's happening, geographically, at each time of the year.
April 18, 2010
Walks-As-Bear notes that whenever Native Americans had a leader who wasn't working for them, they "Recalled" them in heartbeat.
April 02, 2010
Walks-As-Bear spoons some little-known history about Easter and an old Native American variation of the Tortoise & Hare – American Indian Style.
March 17, 2010
In this Bear's Den, Walks-As-Bear relays one old Indian story of how making maple sugar came to be.
March 14, 2010
Walks-As-Bear notes that this St. Patrick's day, as every one since 1847, the Irish recall the Choctaw Indians' Gift to Irish Famine Relief.
March 04, 2010
Walks-As-Bear says that 'We're Not Alone" and parallels America today to existing within an old TV episode of "The Invaders".
February 26, 2010
A beautiful awakening woman, and old crows have much in common. Walks-As-Bear notes that either... can have you ending up with a lot more than you unexpected.
February 16, 2010
Serpents slithering in snow... Walks-As-Bear says that 'Snow Snakes' take a bite... out of winter's blight.
February 10, 2010
Valentine's Day is nice but not symbolic of 'real love'. According to Walks-As-Bear, this requires a spiritual connecting of the souls, via God, the Great Good Spirit.
February 05, 2010
In the winter of severe cold and politic, alike, Walks-As-Bear notes that deer and Americans are both herding for protection... for their very lives.
February 05, 2010
Ice fishing is an age-old American Indian tradition, one that was once a vital life sustaining endeaver, and not just an outdoor winter sport pastime.
February 05, 2010
In this column, Walks-As-Bear says that winter dancing is fun, and a traditional American Indian event, especially when doing... "The Bear".
February 05, 2010
Walks-As-Bear notes that fads come and go, but it's Political Correctness that manintains the definition of... a 'cad'.
February 05, 2010
The Sandman can be goofy, and Walks-As-Bear counsels that a Midwinter's Night Dream... may not always be sweet.
December 28, 2009
In his New Year's Bear's Den,Walks-As-Bear notes that 'Resolutions'... have a plumb job - they only work a few weeks a year.
December 19, 2009
In this holiday Bear's Den, Walks-As-Bear realys that Christmas... is all about being an Indian Giver.
December 12, 2009
In this Bear's Den Walks-As-Bear speaks of winter, procrastination and bootlegging, all of which, have to do with a race.
December 05, 2009
Walks-As-Bear notes that if you're American Indian... you want to be careful when telling someone... your 'sign'.
November 28, 2009
Umm, the Long Moon. The days are wee-pek-wa (gray) and growing ever more we-pe (cold). The kes-athwa (sun) hides more and more. There is always much to do before the heavy snow falls, and I´ve been hard at it. Still, it seems that there´s tons of stuff still left undone when the stars fill the h...
November 23, 2009
Walks-As-Bear relays that it was the Indians that invited the Pilgrims to their traditional "Giving of Thanks to the Creator" ceremony not... the other way around.
November 13, 2009
Fall used to be about not only raking, but burning leaves, too. Walks-As-Bear notes that you don't always know what lies under that pile.
November 06, 2009
Veteran's Day is a time to honor veterans, but we had better watch the sky, because the storm clouds of our warriors are piling up.
October 30, 2009
Walks-As-Bear recalls a boy from kid'dom who turned out to be... a Halloween Saint.
October 24, 2009
According to Walks-As-Bear, the politicians in Washington are quite... 'coyotish'.
October 20, 2009
Walks-As-Bear notes that a prime ingredient of spiritual values includes the constant checking of those priciples.
October 13, 2009
Walks-As-Bear notes that loneliness is a sad thing, indeed, and it can be kind of corny, too.
October 10, 2009
Walks-As-Bear says American Indians have a long and healthy tradition with 'wild grass' and that wild rice... is kind of nice.
September 25, 2009
Early Birds may get the worms but in the end, says Walks-As-Bear, it's going to be the worms... that devour the birds.
September 18, 2009
In this column, Walks-As-Bear spoons and enlightens about mushrooms and crazy dogs - coyotes and politicians, alike.
September 13, 2009
In this week's column, Walks-As-Bear notes that coriness can be taken too lightly - it will because it will pop right up... and burn those not paying attention.
September 04, 2009
In this column, Walks-As-Bear speaks of the "Plum Moon", the healthy attributes of plums, an ancient construction tool, and an an old Sioux tale of going... "Plum Crazy".
August 21, 2009
Walks-As-Bear notes that history should be paid attention to because the past... is always a rebuke to the present. And it can be a very "nasty" rebuke, indeed.
August 14, 2009
Walks-As-Bear says that sour grapes make good dumplings and if you're soured on your politicians... they do, too.
August 06, 2009
Walks-As-Bear says some blueberries a day... keeps the medicine man away, and unlike hollywood phonies, these little fruits are genuine... STARS.
July 31, 2009
In this week's column, Walks-As-Bear tells of plays done by kids, and those performed by nature - they're all of life... produced by God, the Creator.
July 23, 2009
Walks-As-Bear notes in this week's column that be they black or rasp – the thorns are aplenty, on either berried vine. And the thing about a thorn… is that it can poke you in the paw or… right in the behind.
July 17, 2009
This week, Walks-As-Bear spoons about an old American Indian staple food - the sweet potatoe.
July 10, 2009
In this Bear's Den, Walks-As-Bear says that personalities exist in all of the Master of Life´s creations and… you take them or leave them… as they are.
July 03, 2009
In the Bear's Den, Walks-As-Bear talks of life and death, and its connection to the Native American 'Tree of Life' and the Creator.
June 29, 2009
Walks-As-Bear notes that politicians and spiders both spin webs... to catch their prey. So, the smart two-legged… had better be watchful and… take nothing for granted.
June 18, 2009
In this week's Bear's Den, Walks-As-Bear says that being plain-old nutty... is what old squirrels and modern politicians... are all about.
June 12, 2009
"The deaths of a young soldier and late term abortionist, and their unequal treatment, total a yon´she no´din, or 'ugly wind', according to Walks-As-Bear. He says that those whipping up this wrongful air... should be Bar-B-Q'ed."
June 04, 2009
Walks-as-Bear says that the Strawberry Moon... is a time of ripening hearts and heartfelt query - fruit and the Sun Dance.
May 23, 2009
Walks-As-Bear states that Memorial Day is far more than a 3-day weekend - it's symbolism of what we need.
May 10, 2009
The Cheyenne call him Hesko-vi-zen-ako. Yeah, but we Shawnee call him kakwa (porcupine). Yet, however you label him, he can poke and sting severely – yep. And, this painful poking makes any shady two-legged in the shadows move quickly... into the light. Porcupines seek salt and they eat acorns ...
May 05, 2009
Walks-As-Bear says that while all life is anew in the spring, it's equally fleeting, too, and God is the only thing that a two-legged... can take to the bank.
April 24, 2009
Walks-As-Bear says that spring is the time of frosts and flowers and both... can be hazardous for flora.
April 16, 2009
Walks-As-Bear states that politicians are the same blue jays, when it comes to the Tea Parties that are sweeping the nation.
April 09, 2009
In this Easter Bear's Den column, Walks-As-Bear talks of 'resurrecting' the holiday for his young children, some 25 years ago.
April 03, 2009
Walks-As-Bear recalls the turning into a teenager with this remembrance of kid antics, while fishing the banks of a wooded creek.
Bear´s Den: "You can hit a triple on HONOR, INTEGRITY and CHARACTER if your eye's on the RIGHT ball"
March 26, 2009
Honor, integrity and character can be close to home, according to Walks-As-Bear, and the trio doesn't even need fortune, glamour or fame. Best of all... you don´t need the last three... for the first three to be held, or even... reclaimed.
March 20, 2009
In the column this week, Walks-As-Bear says that spiritual weapons are a must for survival in the coming trying times.
March 13, 2009
In this week's column, Walks-As-Bear yarns about Mother Goose, robins and squirrels while noting that spring hasn't sprung... if you're wearing smarty-pants.
March 05, 2009
In this week's column, Walks-As-Bear says a sap, is a sap, is a sap and sadly... he's pretty sappy, too.
February 20, 2009
In this week's column, Walks-As-Bear says that a warm heart is good but a frozen one... that's just the opposite.
February 13, 2009
Walks-As-Bear spoons about winter thaws and their cool warmth of similarity to valentines.
February 06, 2009
In this week's column, Walks-As-Bear says that you get what you pay for, and, if you aren´t careful, then… you´ll be paying for what you've got… too.
January 29, 2009
In the week's column, Walks-As-Bear spins about the nature of a Super Bowl gambler – be it for chanced currency or quivering contentment.
January 22, 2009
Walks-As-Bear skipped the Presidential Inauguration and in this week's Bear's Den column, he tell us why.
January 16, 2009
Walks-As-Bear cpmpares cold, and bitter winter, to taking that nasty and terrible caster oil in this week's column: "Open Wide And Take Your Winter Medicine".
January 09, 2009
In this week's column, David Walks-As-Bear waxes 'cooly' about winter and 'sleeping' and how the two are much the same.
January 02, 2009
Walks-As-Bear spoons about the virtues of helping the needy - aka: wildlife - by depositing your old Christmas tree out in your yard.
December 29, 2008
"In Walks-As-Bear's 2008 New Year's column, he says that Dick Clark ought to pass the ball to the Jolly Green Giant because hey... he's open."
December 18, 2008
Christmas time has always been about kids and David Walks-As-Bear takes us back to the "kiddom" of the 1960's in his holiday column, "The Christmas Day Toboggan Massacre"
December 12, 2008
Boy, the holidays are supposed to be all about family togetherness. But I´ll tell ya what – it doesn´t always seem that way. I mean, whenever kinfolk get together, regardless of the occasion… there´s gonna be some spats. You can count on there being some squabbles because a big part of family… ...
December 05, 2008
Christmas Trees, Yule Tree, Holiday Decorations, Native Americans & Christmas Trees, Pine Nuts,
November 27, 2008
"Black Friday", "Native American Christmas Shopping", "American Indian Food", "Holiday Shopping"
November 22, 2008
Owooo, it´s we-pe, or… cold… outside. Winter is here and along with it comes the conee (snow) and the tingling little feeling of burrrr! Personally, I´m not partial to the white stuff or to the little smarting feelings that it brings with it. But if the cold has taught me anything – ...
November 13, 2008
Today, I stood outside and watched oodles of Canada geese lift off from the lake in front of the cabin. They circled for many minutes and others joined them in orbit, much the same as B-17 bombers did before flying across the English Channel to attack the enemy in WWII. As I observed the waves tak...
November 07, 2008
Ya know, I´m often mystified, appreciative and proud of the little things in life. But then, being slow of wit and mumble of mouth… I´m not all that hard to please, either. Still, I´ve always appreciated the fact that American Indian Heritage Month and Veteran´s Day fall wi...