JR Redwater

JR Redwater is a 35-year-old enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. JR was born November 26, 1975; his parents are Dominic Sr. and Leanne Redwater.

Coming from a poor, alcoholic family wasn’t a happy life for JR, and because it was a dysfunctional family he knew he had to dream big. Growing up on an Indian Reservation in Indian Country was definitely a test of JR’s will to conquer centuries of systematic oppression and genocide.

The experience of sexual and physical abuse as a child was a difficult obstacle for JR to overcome in order to try to live a “normal” life.

At the age of 10, JR got his Indian name in a naming ceremony, “Wanbli-Ohitika,” which means Brave Eagle – his Native American culture plays an important role in his life. He sang and danced traditional on the powwow trail, making sure to honor his name – which he got from dancing as a boy during a cultural presentation. Kids mocked him as he danced, but JR decided to dance for those that appreciated his culture, and be proud of his heritage. This courage would be an attribute to his life long journey.

After graduating high school, JR joined the US Navy. “Going to see the world and get the heck out of South Dakota!” It seemed like a good solution for the kid who liked adventure – it would be, to this day, one of his best decisions.

After boot camp JR was forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS INDEPENDENCE, after a year in Japan his new orders were to meet his new ship off the coast of California, the USS CARL VINSON, CVN-70, a nuclear aircraft carrier. Three WestPac cruises to the Persian Gulf and four years later, JR would move back to South Dakota only to live a life as a dysfunctional alcoholic.

Realizing he was going nowhere fast, he jumped the Greyhound Bus to California to embark on his long dream…
Quickly learning that alcohol was not the only drug, he became involved in a whirlwind of chaos, but luckily enrolled in the United States Truck Driving School, and became a long haul truck driver.

A year and a half later, JR was stopped in Huntington Beach, California while driving under the influence of alcohol, twice, in two months. Losing his Class A license was just the beginning of the end – JR vowed to quit drinking and started to attend meetings at Alcoholic Anonymous. For the first time since he started his drinking career, he was sober. JR’s sobriety lasted a mere nine months. A brief visit back to South Dakota would prove to be his first relapse in recovery – JR received his third DUI a year. The judge sentenced him to 60 days in the county jail, accompanied by large fines and probation.

Immediately after serving his Felony DUI jail sentence, JR committed his self to alcohol rehab, even after the court only recommended continued A.A. meetings.

After returning to Southern California, JR got a job as a hydraulic mechanic, and realized that this job was a dead end. He had nowhere else to turn, so he began his career as a professional stand-up comedian. The rest is history.
Today, JR is following his dream. He is drug and alcohol free, and now resides in Southern California. His life experiences at such a young age allow him to share his knowledge with those who dare to dream, he mentors high school students and young adults. JR is now a devoted Christian.

He is a nationally recognized motivational speaker and comedian. Touring with Pow-wow Comedy Jam, and Lone Wolf Comedy Tour to Iraq to perform for the troops, and most notably, being featured in the Showtime Comedy Special, “Goin’ Native, American Indian Comedy Slam, No Reservations!” that debuted on Showtime Cable Network in November 2009.

His comedy has always been an outlet for his anger. It has always been the way he has always tried to heal people’s pain. It is a way of life for him. Brave Eagle will live up to his name, in the face of adversity, helping his people and relatives around the world!

The “Reservation Sensation” is truly living the Native American dream! This rising star surely is shattering stereotypes of the modern day Indian, and is happy to call himself, a leader for all to follow!