Arson suspected in burning down of sacred Karuk dance house

By Christine Bensen-Bessinger

For the second time in less than 10 years, the sacred dance house of the local Karuk Tribe, the Kaatimiin dance house, was destroyed, and because many tribal members think it was intentional, they are planning to offer a reward for the arrest and conviction of those responsible for its destruction.

Julian Lang, a spiritual leader with the Karuk tribe, said he received a call from a friend early Sunday morning about the fire which he said firefighters from Somes Bar and Orleans Volunteer Fire Department responded to shortly before 1:30.

The fire remains under investigation, a cause has not yet been determined, he said.

The sacred dance house, which is located on the Klamath River in the northeastern part of the county, was first constructed in the early 1970s, he said.

“It’s a house, (with) kind of semi-subterranean, sunken living room,” Lang said. “(It has) a dance area, that’s where we have our healing ceremony for children.”

Other local tribes, including the Yurok and Hoopa are also involved in the healing ceremony for children, which he said is called the Brush Dance Ceremony and have already offered their support in raising funds for a reward and rebuilding.

Lang estimates the value of the structure itself at somewhere around $50,000 including materials and man hours, but said he has difficulty putting a price tag on what it means to the tribe.

“The spiritual value is kind of what it’s all about because it represents the culture of all the local tribes … it’s kind of invaluable,” he said.

Lang said a meeting has been scheduled with local law enforcement about the incident and it will be contacting the FBI to get involved as well, especially since this is the second time it has been destroyed.

“(The first time) somebody had gone in with big heavy equipment and smashed it to smithereens,” he said. “This is twice in the last 10 years. It’s a hate crime.”

The community where the Karuk tribe resides in not large and Lang said many people already think they know who is responsible for the fire.

“There are definitely people who are out to really raise complete total hell with us,” Lang said. “These are some really evil people.”

After meetings with the tribal council and law enforcement have been conducted, he said he thinks a reward will be announced.

“There (have) already been offers from all the other tribes … and local organizations to put the reward together,” Lang said. “(And) other tribes offering to help rebuild. All of the tribes have responded, that’s always a really great thing.”

Lang said he is hopeful that if the fire was intentionally set, those responsible will be arrested and convicted and a message will be sent out that behavior such as this will not be tolerated.

“It’s like a church burning, that’s basically what it is,” he said.