Cultural Projects
The Karuk Education Department is determined to normalize cultural practices within our local schools. Our cultural projects seek to allow students access to cultural mentorship no matter their level of prior cultural engagement. They are exposed to Karuk TEK ( tribal ecological knowledge), language, and connection. Check out some of our projects and students below.
Jackson Street Cultural Programs
Cultural Practitioner Kristin Aubrey
Karuk Education would like to give honor and yôotva
to Kristin Aubrey-Karuk and Yurok Elder.
May she be flying high with The Great Spirit.
Kristin was dedicated to supporting her people and promoting women's empowerment by providing services to all the communities in which she lived. Sharing her knowledge and experiences of culture and life to others allowed for many to be honored by learning from her and knowing her. Kristin participated in Karuk Education's first ever student driven 8th Grade Graduation iikiv (necklace) project in which, the Yreka students made approximately 30 iikivs for 8th grade Karuk students. She provided her special flare and artistic insight to the youth and their iikiv designs. We were all truly honored to have been able to know her and work with her. She is greatly missed.
(Roseann Ritchison-Youth Education Services)
Kristin and Harlee Moore (one of our youth dedicated to learning about her culture and our fastest iikiv maker).
Apúnmiik (to learn) Karuk Culture
Apúnmiik (To learn) presents education to Karuk youth and their peers that promote the preservation of Karuk Cultural practices and traditions. Karuk Education staff and Karuk cultural practitioners work together to facilitate these learning experiences to the middle schoolers to create a more inclusive atmosphere to build resiliency for native youth while also allowing opportunity for their peers to learn and understand Karuk culture.
Iikiv Project
Youth in the íikiv project will work with a local Cultural Practitioner and Y.E.S.S. Roseann Ritchison to make necklaces to honor 8th grade Karuk youth and their successful completion of their academic requirements. They will learn about the importance of regalia, the different materials used, language and the practice of gifting.
Ifikar Project 2024
Our Ifikar Project seeks to expose youth to various practices of gathering and processing traditionally used natural materials such as pine nuts, willow, acorns, etc.
