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
Káruk White Deerskin Dance at Katamin on the Klamath River in Northern California, 1912 Photo Grace Nicholson Collection
Understanding, respecting and participating in the sacred ceremonies for collective, tribal and personal health and healing
Click for the different MEANINGS of the name Walking Backwards
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Ceremony is a time to pray to Creator, to give thanks for all we receive from the natural world; for respect and gratitude for each of the seasons, for the food that is gathered, the salmon that is caught; for good luck
and the healings that are received, and for the protection and healthy living of all people. Yôotva!
- Káruk language teacher Franklin "Walking Backwards" Thom
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Jump Dance: dancing for healing, good luck, an abundance of foods and good will between people
The following information was respectfully written and submitted by Káruk language teacher Franklin R Thom
THE CEREMONIES
Although the languages of the tribal peoples of the Klamath River are vastly different, many of their ceremonies are similar. Káruk ceremonies are traditionally started with the “last moon” in mid-May. Historically, at this time fires were built on the tops of all mountains near the ceremonial-dance areas. Each ceremony is done for the same purpose: to allow individuals to find the healing they seek, for appreciation of the bounty of the Earth, for the animals, the salmon ("áama") and the birds. Ceremonial medicine is carried in with the help of a boy or young man.
ANIMALS, PLANTS & THE "CREEPY CRAWLERS"
Animals play important, special parts in the making of ceremonial regalia. The beaver offers his/her hide to carry the regalia. Necklaces, which are worn during ceremony and brought to trade, are handmade with plants, shells and seeds. Insects play their part in the jewelry-making, too. “ásvûut” ants clean the Juniper tree seedlings that fall to the earth. These ants take the seeds and make piles of them; the ant families then swarm the piles and eat the center of the seedlings, leaving many hollow "seed beads". Piles of these seeds can be found throughout Shasta Valley, and in other far-northern California areas.
13 MOONS
During each of the 13 'káruk han' (there are 13 full moons in the Káruk calendar) the Káruk people celebrate by singing different songs for each of the ceremonies and seasons. The men do their best to "please the season", whether that means the gathering of special herbs and medicinal plants in the mountains in the spring and summer, praying for good hunting and fishing throughout the seasons and the bountiful harvest of crops each autumn, or the skillful making of hunting tools and ceremonial regalia in the winter. Participation in the sweat ceremonies are an important part of each season.
This sacred dance is performed for the healing for a sick child. This ceremony has similarities with other Káruk ceremonial dances and ancient ways, in that the medicine man fasts, taking ten days to pray and prepare for the Brush Dance. The dance does not starts until he returns from collecting herbs and making his medicines. After the fire has burned for 4 days, there are three days of evening dances, commencing just after the leaving of the light. The ceremony for the healing of a sick child happens next. Friday is a day of rest, yet the fire keeps burning. The Brush Dance usually starts the 3rd week in August, the 12th moon of the Káruk People.
Káruk Brush Dance, Orleans, California, 1923, with medicine woman Phoebe Maddux (center)
Photo Grace Nicholson Collection
Click on arrow (left) to hear Frank Thom singing Charlie "Red Hawk" Thom's BRUSH DANCE (Light Song), for the healing of a baby or sick child
As a girl approaches womanhood, she may be honored in the “ihuk” (Káruk language) or Flower Dance Ceremony. After fasting for seven days on acorn soup, chosen 12 year-old "young women" are assisted through this special coming-of-age ceremony by a medicine woman. Lyn Reisling Lang, a well-known Klamath River Native artist and ceremonial leader, has helped many girls in this way.
This dance, which starts for the Káruk people at “ámikîiáram” (Ike’s Falls on the Klamath River) and lasts for several days, is performed to heal people and to pray for plentiful foods such as deer and salmon. Jump Dances are also performed to bring good luck and restore good will to the people. Frank Thom, Káruk language teacher, and others teach the children this dance.
Cooking salmon (amma) over open fire pit
SALMON CEREMONY
This joyful celebration brings families together to feast, to honor "áama" (salmon), and to express gratitude for life. People enjoy gathering for the fellowship of this ceremony, to heal, and to pray for personal needs.
WAR DANCE
The sacred War Dance is performed to ward off evil spirits. It begins in May and is held in “tíh’thuf îimtap” (Ti Bar) on the Klamath River. During this time, Roosevelt elk, the largest native elk in California, can be seen browsing throughout this area.
The Káruk World Renewal Ceremony, or pikyávish, is held each year at Katamin (ka'tim'îin) during the harvest season and lasts several days. It is performed for the purpose of ensuring a bounty of food for the People as well as protecting them from sickness and bad luck in the coming year. Prayers are sent out around the world.
Káruk "Center of the World", Katamin (ka'tim'îin)
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The following individuals share personal viewpoints, memories, songs and other information
about the ceremonial practices of the Klamath River Native peoples.
Ceremony is our way passing on the wisdom, methods and traditions of the past. It allows us to show the youth the traditional ways in a memorable form.
- Ronald Griffman (Shasta/Káruk/Yurok/Rogue River/Modoc/Pit River)