walking-backwards / ALL VIDEOS

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

Click to see MAP Click to see VIDEOS Click for the different MEANINGS of the name Walking Backwards

Click to see MAP Click to see VIDEOS Click for the different MEANINGS of the name Walking Backwards

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On the way to Katamin

MESSAGES AND MEMORIES

VOICES OF KLAMATH RIVER NATIVE CULTURAL REPRESENTATIVES

Click to see MAP Click to see PEOPLE Click for the different MEANINGS of the name Walking Backwards

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Káruk basketmaker Dolly Sanderson, 1923 Photo: Grace Nicholson Collection

The motivating force that directs some Natives to share their ancestral ways with non-Indians is this. Many people believe that traditional Native wisdom elders can help modern society learn how to live sustainably and with more peace. They see that greed, industrialism and commercialism are creating disasters on many fronts - in global politics, in our communities, in our families, and in the hearts and minds of individuals throughout the world. When Native wisdom elders share their beliefs and knowledge, they do so because they want their own people - as well as people everywhere in this world - to survive.

- Ronald Griffman (Shasta/Káruk/Yurok/Rogue River/Modoc/Pit River)

LINKS TO VIDEOS BELOW ARE LISTED BY SUBJECT & NAME

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT ALL PEOPLE WHOSE VIDEOS ARE FEATURED

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CHARLIE "RED HAWK" THOM

• KÁRUK ELDERS' COUNCIL

• WHAT'S BEEN LOST - RESTORATION

• CHARLIE'S LAST MESSAGE

• CHARLIE'S PRAYER FOR THE WHOLE WORLD"

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JACK "WALKING EAGLE" THOM

• NATIVE SPRIRTUALITY - PART I

• NATIVE SPIRITUALITY - PART II

• PURIFICATION SWEAT LODGE - PART I

• PURIFICATION SWEAT LODGE - PART II

• SEARCHING FOR NATIVE CULTURE

• SPIRITUAL WARRIOR

• NATIVE AMERICAN PRAYER

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• JUSTICE FOR NATIVE PEOPLES

• NATIVE WATER RIGHTS

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• KÁRUK LANDS & CULTURE

• KÁRUK CULTURAL HERITAGE

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• KLAMATH RIVER WATER SONG

• FRANK THOM'S "PRAYER FOR MY PEOPLE"

• FRANK THOM SINGING "LUCK SONG" (audio)

• FRANK THOM SINGING "LOVE SONG" (audio)

• SACRED LANDS

• NATIVE "TERMINATION ACT"

• CHILDREN and the KÁRUK LANGUAGE

• JUSTICE for the NATIVE PEOPLES

• MESSAGES from the CREATOR

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• SACRED KÁRUK CEREMONY at KATAMIN

• REMEMBERING his MOTHER, ELIZABETH CASE

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• KÁRUK WORLD RENEWAL CEREMONY - Part I

• KÁRUK WORLD RENEWAL CEREMONY - Part II

• KÁRUK WORLD RENEWAL CEREMONY - Part III

• KÁRUK WAR DANCE SONG

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• PURIFICATION SWEAT LODGE CEREMONY

• KLAMATH RIVER NATIVE REGALIA

• KLAMATH RIVER FLOWER DANCE CEREMONY

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• KÁRUK CULTURAL REVIVAL

• MEMORIES of the OLD DAYS

SARA NESSBIT BARNEY

• KÁRUK INDIAN DOCTORS

• PLANT MEDICINE

• MY KÁRUK PEOPLE

• KÁRUK BASKETMAKING

• KÁRUK and the CHINESE

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• TEACHING the CHILDREN, with Charlene Croy

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• BRIAN'S POEM

• BRIAN'S SONG "I DON'T CARE" (She's Married Now)

• KÁRUK "LUCK SONG" with Franklin Thom

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• GROWING UP NATIVE - APPRECIATING FAMILY

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THE NEXT GENERATION

• GROWING UP NATIVE - Ron Griffman

• KÁRUK CULTURE & HEALING - Norman Croy

• RESPECT, NATIVE SPIRITUALITY, HEALING

• HONORING the ELDERS - Patrick Croy

• TEACHING the CHILDREN - Tela Lake

• KÁRUK LANGUAGE - Elizabeth Case

• MESSAGES from the CREATOR - Elizabeth Case

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