KÁRUK MEDICINE WOMAN
ELIZABETH CASE
A respected Káruk elder, Elizabeth was was born in a small Káruk village on the Salmon River in Northern California that, in 1875, became Somes Bar. She later moved to the Quartz Valley Indian Reservation where she was a major contributor in rejuvenating the Karuk language, culture and history. Throughout her life, Elizabeth was a teacher for young girls. It was very important to her that girls learn to respect themselves and others in the traditional ways. As they entered womanhood, she guided them through the Flower Dance coming-of-age ceremonies. During the early 1970s, Elizabeth worked alongside other elders to bring back one of the ancient ceremonial healing dances, the Brush Dance. She was considered to be a medicine woman from that point on and continued with her work until the early 1990s.
SARA NESSBITT BARNEY - a renowned basketmaker, Sara was also a collector of many Káruk baskets and ceremonial regalia. She took pride in her culture and enjoyed sharing stories about her childhood, which was spent on the KLAMATH RIVER. Her love for family was exhibited in the traditional patterns and designs that were woven into her baskets. A private and quiet woman, Sara’s personality shined when she shared her stories, baskets and other handiwork with the public.
THELMA THOM - a knowledgable Hupa elder, Thelma was respected by many as medicine woman - but she never wanted to be called that. Formerly married to Káruk medicine man Charlie "Red Hawk" Thom, she supported him for years in his cultural and spiritual endeavors. Devoted to the traditions and values of her Native culture, Thelma was as gentle a teacher as she was a powerful seer. She was revered and loved by many people.
LESTER ALFORD, Sr - one of Charlie Thom's older brothers, Lester was a respected elder of Karuk and Shasta heritages who was instrumental in forming the Quartz Valley Indian Reservation (which is flourishing today). Even though he was sent to Indian Boarding School, which prevented him from learning the Káruk language, he spent much of his adult life contributing his knowledge of the Karuk and SHASTA cultures for the people in his communities. A strict disciplinarian with a big heart, Lester influenced many younger people with his moral values, wisdom, encouragement and good will. His legacy continues through his children, who work in various departments with the Káruk Tribe and in other California Native communities.
LESTER ALFORD, Sr - one of Charlie Thom's older brothers, Lester was a respected elder of Karuk and Shasta heritages who was instrumental in forming the Quartz Valley Indian Reservation (which is flourishing today). Even though he was sent to Indian Boarding School, which prevented him from learning the Káruk language, he spent much of his adult life contributing his knowledge of the Karuk and SHASTA cultures for the people in his communities. A strict disciplinarian with a big heart, Lester influenced many younger people with his moral values, wisdom, encouragement and good will. His legacy continues through his children, who work in various departments with the Káruk Tribe and in other California Native communities.
LESTER ALFORD, Sr - one of Charlie Thom's older brothers, Lester was a respected elder of Karuk and Shasta heritages who was instrumental in forming the Quartz Valley Indian Reservation (which is flourishing today). Even though he was sent to Indian Boarding School, which prevented him from learning the Káruk language, he spent much of his adult life contributing his knowledge of the Karuk and SHASTA cultures for the people in his communities. A strict disciplinarian with a big heart, Lester influenced many younger people with his moral values, wisdom, encouragement and good will. His legacy continues through his children, who work in various departments with the Káruk Tribe and in other California Native communities.
FANNY FISHER - Káruk elder Fanny Fisher was raised on the Salmon River, in Scott Valley, California, at the foot of the Marble Mountain Wilderness. A quiet, knowledgable cultural practitioner, Fanny's greatest joy was talking with the people of the Klamath and Salmon Rivers, sharing stories about the old Káruk ways. A proficient basketweaver, she also enjoyed collecting acorns and pine nuts. Blessed with a smile that was “worth more than anything”, Fanny was loved by all who knew her. CLICK for FANNY FISHER VIDEO
FANNY FISHER - Káruk elder Fanny Fisher was raised on the Salmon River, in Scott Valley, California, at the foot of the Marble Mountain Wilderness. A quiet, knowledgable cultural practitioner, Fanny's greatest joy was talking with the people of the Klamath and Salmon Rivers, sharing stories about the old Káruk ways. A proficient basketweaver, she also enjoyed collecting acorns and pine nuts. Blessed with a smile that was “worth more than anything”, Fanny was loved by all who knew her. CLICK for FANNY FISHER VIDEO
FANNY FISHER - Káruk elder Fanny Fisher was raised on the Salmon River, in Scott Valley, California, at the foot of the Marble Mountain Wilderness. A quiet, knowledgable cultural practitioner, Fanny's greatest joy was talking with the people of the Klamath and Salmon Rivers, sharing stories about the old Káruk ways. A proficient basketweaver, she also enjoyed collecting acorns and pine nuts. Blessed with a smile that was “worth more than anything”, Fanny was loved by all who knew her. CLICK for FANNY FISHER VIDEO
FANNY FISHER - Káruk elder Fanny Fisher was raised on the Salmon River, in Scott Valley, California, at the foot of the Marble Mountain Wilderness. A quiet, knowledgable cultural practitioner, Fanny's greatest joy was talking with the people of the Klamath and Salmon Rivers, sharing stories about the old Káruk ways. A proficient basketweaver, she also enjoyed collecting acorns and pine nuts. Blessed with a smile that was “worth more than anything”, Fanny was loved by all who knew her. CLICK for FANNY FISHER VIDEO
Eagle is a symbol of vision, wisdom, strength and courage
THE IMPORTANCE OF
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
WALKING BACKWARDS means JUSTICE for Native Peoples
Critical Restorative Justice issues for indigenous peoples throughout the world include:
Eradicating Racism, Discrimination and the Oppression of Native Peoples, Protecting Native Water Rights, Protecting Sacred Sites and Native Lands, Preserving Native Cultures, Ceremonies and Languages, The Healing of Historical and Ancestral Trauma, Reforming Laws to Protect the Human Rights of Native Peoples
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Káruk woman with burden basket, 1923
Photo: Grace Nicholson Collection
The CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH brought genocide, disease and rampant environmental destruction, when almost 300,000 immigrants from all over the world flocked to the northwestern edge of the United States to make their fortune. After moving in, terrorizing, enslaving and then murdering numerous indigenous peoples, including the Káruk, whose ancestors had lived for thousands of years in the Klamath Region area, gold-crazed invaders - and the merchants and ranchers that followed - almost completely destroyed all ancient indigenous cultural practices, languages, ceremonies and traditional ways of life. At one point $5.00 bounties were put on the heads of Northern California Indians, forcing many people to flee into the mountains. Families were forever split apart when some of the women who had been widowed or were left behind, married nonNatives - sometimes just to keep themselves and their children from starving.
Years later, when reservations and laws were created to further control the Natives, and outright deceit was used to legally steal their lands, their water rights, and then their children (who were taken away to Indian Boarding Schools), a relentless depression filled the people. Despair and poverty became the norm and, in some cases, alcoholism took hold.
Indian "termination" became a policy of the United States during the mid-1940s - mid-1960s. It was shaped by a series of laws that were written to force the assimilation of Native Americans into mainstream American society and eliminate governmental services. It ultimately led to the loss of vast amounts of Native lands and water rights. [adapted from Wikipedia]
Today, descendants of the original Klamath River people are standing proud, "walking backwards" into their culture and into their future. Working hard to regain and uphold their status as California's most powerful Native tribe, more and more Káruk are participating in the traditional healing ceremonies and sacred dances, learning their ancestral language, remembering ancient wisdom teachings, and becoming strong advocates in the cultural education of their children.
Standing up for Justice and Honoring the Elders: Káruk elder Patrick Croy, Yreka, California
Historically, each Káruk village had a different responsibility, depending on its location on the Klamath River. Justice was handled within each village. Today, the Káruk Tribe is headquartered in HAPPY CAMP, CALIFORNIA and is governed by a tribal council of nine members.
Images (above) by Káruk artist Jimmy "Running Deer" Thom