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
Mouth of the Klamath - where the Pacific joins the Klamath River in far northwestern California Photo © Steve Olson
ABOUT THE WEBSITE
WALKING BACKWARDS
who, what, where, when, why & how
Click to see MAP
Click to see VIDEOS
SEE DROPDOWN MENU AT TOP
Charlie Thom (1928-2013) explains the meanings of "Walking Backwards" to his grandson Ron Griffman
Photo © Marguerite Lorimer
ABOUT THE WEBSITE
This project is dedicated to káruk áraar'túviiv, the children of the Káruk "upriver" people. The Káruk, once called the Kah-rah-ko-hah or Károk, have lived since time immemorial along the shores and steep mountain areas of the Klamath River, in a beautiful, incredibly bountiful region of what is now far northwestern California. On the brink of extinction after the California Gold Rush (1848–1855) the Káruk Tribe is today one of the largest Native American tribes in the state of California.
This project was initiated by Káruk ceremonial leader-medicine man Charles R Thom (1928-2013) (also known as Charlie "Red Hawk" Thom) who, in 1980, asked his friend, filmmaker-photographer John Veltri, to begin photographing and filming interviews his friends and relatives, some who are featured on this website. Charlie felt that it was important to record and then release to the world their stories, songs, wisdom and insights, to create bridges of understanding between cultures and bring greater respect to the Native peoples of this specific, little-known part of Native America.
It was Charlie Thom's hope that the videos and information on this website would be of special interest to the young people of his Káruk tribe. As descendants of a proud, accomplished people, may they be inspired to learn about their heritage, become strong community leaders, and pass their cultural knowledge and wisdom onto future generations.
In 1980, when New York photographer-filmmaker John Veltri was on sabbatical at the remote and rustic Stewart Mineral Springs resort near Mount Shasta, California, he met Káruk medicine man Charlie Thom. A few weeks later, Charlie asked John to photograph the diversity of people who were attending his purification sweat lodge ceremonies. Soon after that, Charlie and John began traveling together. After almost nine years of working together, they began interviewing some of Charlie's relatives, friends and neighbors, recording their stories and songs, documenting certain aspects of their cultures that Charlie felt were important to preserve and share with the world.
Media included in this Walking Backwards project was produced by John Veltri in New York and Northern California, with contributions by Káruk medicine man - ceremonial leader Charlie "Red Hawk" Thom, Káruk language teacher Franklin R Thom, Native cultural activist Ronald Griffman (Karuk/Rogue River/Modoc/Pit River/Shasta/Yurok), and others. The website was created in Mount Shasta by Marguerite Lorimer.
Although some who are featured on this site have long since passed, their messages about health and healing, the importance of community, ceremony, language and Native cultural revival, caring for the Earth, teaching the young people, and the need for justice for the Káruk people - as well as Native peoples around the world - are especially timely today.
This website has been organized according to the different meanings of Charlie Thom's Káruk medicine name, Walking Backwards, as he explained it to filmmaker John Veltri.
Images (above) by Káruk artist Jimmy "Running Deer" Thom