Karuk Tribe
|
Karuk language distribution | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (4,800 enrolled members[1]) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( California) | |
| Languages | |
| English, Karuk | |
| Religion | |
| traditional tribal religion, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Karuk people |
The Karuk Tribe is a federally recognized tribe of Karuk people.[2] They are an indigenous people of California, located in the northwestern corner of the state, in Humboldt and Siskiyou Counties. The Karuk Tribe is one of the largest tribes in California.[1]
As a government organization, the Karuk Tribe of California has demonstrated its ability to administer a multitude of social, cultural and economic programs effectively, earning the status of a "Self-Governance Tribe." The Tribal government currently employs more than 100 people in administrative, child welfare, community/economic development, education, elders, energy assistance, health, housing, human services and natural resources programs. In little more than a decade the Karuk Tribe has developed housing divisions, health clinics and Head Start programs in Orleans, Happy Camp and Yreka, its three major population centers. Through the tribally-chartered Karuk Community Development Corporation, the Karuk Tribe also has administered salmon fisheries enhancement projects, acquired and expanded a retail business, planned a small manufacturing plant, assisted a number of local people in starting small business enterprises and staffs Workforce Development personnel at Community Computer Centers in Orleans, Happy Camp and Yreka.
Tribal lands
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. The total land area of these parcels is 2.908 km² (1.123 sq mi, or 718.49 acres). 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.
Government
The Karuk is headquartered in Happy Camp, California. The tribe is governed by a nine-member council. The current administration is as follows:
- Chairman: Russell Attebery
- Vice-Chairman: Michael Thom
- Secretary/Treasurer: Joseph Waddell
- Member-at-large: Crispen McAllister
- Member-at-large: Dora Bernal
- Member-at-large: Sonny Davis
- Member-at-large: Elsa Goodwin
- Member-at-large: Alvis Johnson
- Member-at-large: Amos Tripp.[3]
Language
The Karuk people speak the Karuk language, a Shastan language, belonging to the Hokan language family.[4] The tribe has an active language revitalization program.
Economic development
The tribe is planning to build the Karuk Casino in Yreka, California.[5]
The People's Center in Happy Camp is the tribe's museum and cultural center. The 5,000-foot building has a changing gallery, museum store, classroom, library, office for the language program, and archives and collections storage.[6]
Notes
- 1 2 "Karuk Indians." SDSU: California Indians and Their Reservations. 30 July 2013.
- ↑ Pritzker 428
- ↑ "Meet Your Council." Karuk Tribe. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ↑ "Karuk." Four Directions Institute. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ↑ "Karuk Casino Yreka." 500 Nations. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ↑ "Welcome to the People's Center."Karuk Tribe. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
References
- Pritzker, Barry M. A Native American Encyclopedia: History, Culture, and Peoples. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. ISBN 978-0-19-513877-1
External links
- Karuk Tribe, official website
- Traditional Karuk Ceremonial Activity on the Klamath River, USDA Forest Service