Kaatimiin Rebuilding

[Andre Cramblit]

Karuk Tribe of California
PRESS RELEASE
Happy Camp, CA – In response to a structural fire, which destroyed a  
ceremonial dance house at the Karuk ceremonial area of Katimin near  
Somes Bar on July 2, 2006 an emergency session of the Karuk Tribal  
Council was convened last Friday by Vice Chairman, Leaf Hillman.

Following Friday’s emergency session, the Tribal Council announced it  
had approved a plan to offer a reward for information leading to the  
arrest and conviction of those responsible for the destruction.  “We  
are working closely with several law enforcement agencies including  
the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department, the Klamath National  
Forest, and the FBI to assist in the investigation” said Vice  
Chairman, Leaf Hillman.  Hillman also stated that he expected a  
$10,000 reward would be announced by the end of the week.  In  
addition, the Tribal Council has established a special fund to accept  
donations that will be used to increase the reward amount and to  
assist with the rebuilding efforts.

The physical investigation of the site has been completed and law  
enforcement will now focus on conducting interviews with individuals  
to develop additional information and leads.  Over the next few weeks  
investigators will be in the area conducting interviews and gathering  
information, and the Tribal Council is calling on the local community  
to cooperate with the investigation.  If individuals have information  
concerning this matter we are asking that you step forward.

Until the motive for this egregious act becomes known to us, the  
Tribal Council is insisting that this matter be pursued as a crime of  
hate committed against the Indian community.  Hate crimes being  
committed against Tribal communities is certainly not new.  What is  
new however, is a broader acceptance within our society that the hate  
crime label applies to religions other then Christianity.  If you  
burn a Baptist Church in the South everyone knows it will be pursued  
and prosecuted at the highest level as a hate crime.

In speaking with ceremonial and traditional leaders they feel that  
this site is sacred to them as a site where Karuk customs are  
practiced in the traditional ways.  This is consistent in their  
opinion and held in the same regard as a Church is to other widely  
accepted religions.

Any individuals wishing to contribute toward the rebuilding of the  
Karuk Spiritual Dance House may forward donations to; Please do not  
send cash.
Karuk Tribe of California

Katimin Dance House
PO Box 1016
Happy Camp, CA. 96039

Donations may be made in person at the Administration Office located  
at 64236 Second Avenue, Happy Camp, California
For more information contact Leaf Hillman or Florence Conrad at (530)  
493-1600
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://listserv.linguistlist.org/pipermail/ilat/attachments/20060713/00644a15/attachment.htm>