Rumbling and Rolling for the People
Sam Bearpaw | Redrum MC
NHM Online Presents L.A. on Wheels, an online series celebrating the diversity of Los Angeles and its people through the lens of creative modes of transportation.
Growing up, Sam found joy and happiness in various forms of mobility, from mini-biking and surfing to skateboarding. This early passion for movement now finds its full expression in his adult life through Redrum MC, an Indigenous-based motorcycle club. Of Chiricahua and Mimbreño Apache descent on his father’s side and White Mountain Apache on his mother’s, Sam carries a deep connection to his Native lineage. As members of this MC, Sam and the rest of the Redrum not only embrace their cultural identity and environmental heritage but also continue to spread the same sense of joy and positivity that Sam experienced as a child, acting as "Warriors for the People" of Los Angeles. Watch the video below to learn more about Sam’s story.
From Mini-Bikes to Motorcycles
Born and raised amidst the landscape of Montebello, a community nestled in East Los Angeles, Sam's formative years were a journey of urban exploration. From a young age, his curiosity led him to navigate the neighborhood streets, initially on mini-bikes. These early, exhilarating adventures laid the groundwork for a passion that would soon comprise the diverse venues of mobility through skateboarding and surfing, eventually culminating in a profound love for motorcycling. After a transformative period spent living in Arizona and New Mexico, Sam's return to Los Angeles was not merely a geographical relocation but a profound reconnection. He recalled this homecoming, highlighting how deeply he valued —and still does —the city's uniquely inclusive spirit.
I grew up in Montebello, a town in eastern Los Angeles. As a boy, I recall riding mini bikes throughout the neighborhood without any issues from the police. They always allowed us to ride freely through the streets.
Courtesy of Sam Bearpaw
Young Sam Bearpaw
Courtesy of Sam Bearpaw
Young Sam Bearpaw at the Long Beach Pike beach with his mom, Lillian Lascurain, and his sister Katheryn Bernice.
Courtesy of Sam Bearpaw
Sam Bearpaw does it all—riding motorcycles, skateboarding, snowboarding down Mt. Baldy (pictured), and even surfing.
L.A. on Wheels
For Sam, Los Angeles had always been the sought-after destination, a place synonymous with dreams and endless possibilities. Yet, it was by experiencing the city "on wheels" that he truly observed that wheels are not just a mode of transport in Los Angeles; they are an integral part of its identity. From the gliding of roller skates along Venice Beach to the acrobatics of skateboards in downtown plazas, and the roar of powerful motorcycles cruising down Sunset Boulevard, wheels are everywhere. Sam also proposes a charming philosophy: wherever you see wheels in this city, you'll also find a smile. This observation speaks to a deeper connection, suggesting that the freedom and movement offered by wheels intrinsically bring joy to those who embrace them.
They're everywhere, you know? Wherever you look in Los Angeles, you'll see wheels—bikes, skateboards—and the big smiles of those riding them. Los Angeles is an iconic city that many aspire to visit, even if just to experience being a part of it.
First Nations Motorcycle Club
Redrum MC is an Indigenous-based motorcycle club with chapters across the world, with a large number of members in Los Angeles, a city with a significant concentration of Native American tribes. The club's core mission revolves around helping the people of Los Angeles, actively promoting peace, positivity, and traditional Native American values concerning environmental stewardship and community safety. This commitment manifests in tangible community engagement, including raising money for scholarships through organizations like the American Indian Chamber of Commerce, and supporting educational opportunities for children and the growth of new businesses. Redrum MC operates on a principle of inclusivity, welcoming all individuals, united in a shared purpose.
We see ourselves as "Warriors for the People," committed to helping the folks of Los Angeles. Our main goal is to serve the community, and we really enjoy doing it. As we rumble and roll through town, everyone sees us, people wave at us, showing they appreciate our presence and our dedication to spreading peace and good vibes.
Courtesy of Sam Bearpaw
Redrum MC members describe themselves as "Warriors for the People".
Courtesy of Sam Bearpaw
The Redrum MC gathers consistently to actively promote peace, positivity, and traditional Native American values.
Courtesy of Sam Bearpaw
Redrum MC ruble and roll together.
Powwows and Connection
Beyond community service, Redrum MC strives to inspire other bikers to embrace its vision of positivity, fostering deep connections and camaraderie among its members. Their welcoming approach extends to anyone who shares their commitment to doing good and helping others. A vital aspect of the club's identity and spiritual life involves attending powwows across Canada and Turtle Island.
For Sam, these gatherings are a source of profound spiritual connection, allowing him to take part in singing, traditional dances like the chicken dance and northern traditional, and powerful drum groups. Sam describes the experience of these powwows as not only setting a precedent for a wonderful feeling among both bikers and attendees but also as providing an opportunity to support the Native community, fostering expressions of joy, laughter, and solidarity through handshakes, culminating in a truly phenomenal and spiritual sense of camaraderie, not just among the participants of the powwow but for the bikers as well.
We have a chapter in every state, and wherever you go, there's a powwow. That's what we do; we attend venues like powwows, not parties.
Courtesy of Sam Bearpaw
Sam Bearpaw in regalia at a powwow.
Courtesy of Sam Bearpaw
Here Sam is pictured doing the Northern Plains, Blackfoot-style chicken dance. Like many powwow dances, it is inspired by nature, imitating the prairie grouse’s mating ritual, where male birds display colorful plumage and perform distinctive movements to attract females. Outsiders referred to the grouse as “chickens,” giving the dance its name.
Photo by Guido Frazzini courtesy of Sam Bearpaw
Sam Bearpaw is pictured dancing a Northern Traditional dance. The Northern Traditional dance originates from the stories of warriors and veterans returning home from battle or hunts. As they approached their villages, they were welcomed into the sacred circle from the east, where they would share their experiences through dance rather than words. Each movement, step, and element of their regalia, including war paint, symbolized moments from their journey, allowing them to tell their story and honor their experiences through dance.
Sam Bearpaw and the Redrum MC embody the spirit of mobility and community in Los Angeles. His journey highlights how wheels—be they on skateboards, surfboards, or motorcycles—are not just a means of transport but a source of joy, cultural expression, and a powerful tool for building connections, elevating cultural heritage, and spreading positivity throughout the diverse tapestry of the city.
KEEP ON ROLLIN'
Learn more about Sam Bearpaw (@sambearpaw) and stay updated with the Redrum MC on their website. Do you know another Angeleno who connects with their community on wheels? We want to hear from you! Join the conversation on social media and tag us @NHMLA with #LAonWheels.