P R E S S  R E L E A S E

 

Karuk Tribe

 

For Immediate Release:   January 30, 2015

 

For more information:  Leaf Hillman, Director of Natural Resources, 530.627.3446

 

 KARUK CEREMONIAL SITE LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

Tishawnik Ceremonial Grounds near Orleans, CA Recognized as Historically Significant Area by National Park Service

 

Happy Camp, CA – Today the National Park Service announced added the Tishawnik Ceremonial Grounds, located just south of  Orleans, California, to the National Register of Historic Places (National Register).

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources.

Tishawnik is one of three locations where the annual Karuk World Renewal Ceremony or Pikyávish, has been celebrated since time immemorial.  According to Karuk Tribal Chairman Russell ‘Buster’ Attebery, “Karuk People have been conducting these ceremonies and performing our sacred ceremonial dances at Tishawnik since the beginning of time.  Today’s announcement helps ensure that these sacred ceremonies and dances will continue to be held here until the end of time.”

Tishawnik is located along the thinly populated middle reaches of the Klamath River in northern California and has been used since time immemorial by the Karuk Tribe, as well as visiting neighbors, the Yurok and Hupa Tribes.  These ceremonies and ceremonial dances are still performed at this site each year.

In recent years, the area has been threatened by development, mining activity, and illegal marijuana growers. The Tribe hopes that recognition by the National Park Service will help protect this important cultural resource.

# # #

---

 

• Prev
• Next