Iowan Ray Young Bear has been publishing poetry since 1968. His new book, "Manifestation Wolverine" (Open Road Media), is a comprehensive collection of his work, previously published and new--work that draws on ancient Meskwaki lore and modern popular culture. He says his poetry is a link to the writings of his grandfathers.
Young Bear is a lifetime resident of the Meskwaki Settlement (the Red Earth People) near Tama. He is a novelist as well. His "Black Eagle Child: The Facepaint Narratives" (1992) is a novel written in both prose and poetry. Young Bear is also a singer and is co-founder of the Woodland Singers and Dancers, which performs contemporary and traditional tribal dances throughout the county. He and his wife Stella are co-founders of the performance group "Black Eagle Child."
