Sacred Site destruction

[andrekar at NCIDC.ORG]

Ayukìi, náa níthvuuyti Imshápaneech, karú náa vúra masuh'áraar-karuk'áraar. Hello my name is André Cramblit, and I am a Salmon River Native, a Karuk Tribal Member.  I am from a family of Dance Leaders from the village of Kaatimiin, the center of the Karuk world, near the confluence of the Salmon and Klamath rivers in northwest California.  I was devastated to learn of the arson at Kaatimiin.  This is the third time that this sacred site has been desecrated.  I hope that the Tribal Council acts swiftly to organize efforts both to restore and protect our dance grounds and bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.

Given the seriousness of this matter, and the location of the sacred dance grounds on Trust land, the Council should coordinate with Federal authorities to carry out a thorough and swift investigation.  In order to demonstrate its commitment to protecting these sacred ceremonial grounds, I would suggest the council offer a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those involved.

My Great Great Aunt Bessie Tripp said that that Kaatimiin, her family land, should be used as a dance site for the benefit of all the Karuk people.  It is our responsibility to ensure that this area is used in the proper manner.  The Brush Dance, Pickyavish, War Dance and other ceremonies held at this site since time began must be allowed to continue without fear of further violation.

I am away from home right now and cannot view the destruction personally.  I hope that things can be repaired quickly and that Kaatimiin can be secured from future problems.  I will be home in mid-July and will be available to assist in any way possible.  Please spare no efforts to bring those responsible for this violent and reckless act to justice.  I look forward to receiving updates on progress in this matter.

This is the local Field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to contact regarding this matter:

FBI Sacramento
4500 Orange Grove Avenue
Sacramento, California 95841-4205
http://sacramento.fbi.gov/
(916) 481-9110

There is also a satellite office in Redding.

You can contact Tribal Council Members to encourage their rapid response to this issue through the tribal website:
http://www.karuk.us/staff/council.php