Karuk

Introduction

Drummers at Protest for Klamath SalmonThe Karuk (also Karok) are an indigenous people of California in the United States.

The Karuk do not have a legally designated reservation, but do have a number of small tracts held in trust by the federal government as well as tracts owned by the tribe in fee-simple status. These small non-contiguous parcels of land are primarily located along the Klamath River in western Siskiyou County and northeastern Humboldt County in California. A resident population of 333 persons was reported in the 2000 census. There are also a number of tracts located within the city of Yreka.

Since time immemorial, the Karuk, whose name means “upriver people”, or “upstream” people,] have resided in villages along the Klamath River, where they continue such cultural traditions as hunting, gathering, fishing, basket making and ceremonial dances. The Karuk were the only California tribe to grow tobacco plants. The Brush Dance, Jump Dance and Pikyavish ceremonies last for several days and are practiced to heal and “fix the world,” to pray for plentiful acorns, deer and salmon, and to restore social good will as well as individual good luck.

Adapted from Wikipedia’s article on the Karuk People

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