Land Management
Protecting and restoring Karuk ancestral lands while balancing community needs with cultural and environmental stewardship.
Our Mission
The mission of the Karuk Office of Tribal Lands Management is to expand Karuk Indian Country and manage our tribally owned property to it's best use for the benefit of our members.
History
The story of Karuk land management is one of resilience, stewardship, and continuity. For thousands of years, the Karuk people have actively cared for the Klamath River, its forests, and its ecosystems through cultural practices such as burning, gathering, and sustainable harvesting. This timeline highlights key moments in the Tribe’s ongoing effort to protect and restore our ancestral lands while navigating changing policies and outside pressures.
1851
In 1851 U.S. Indian Agent Redick McKee negotiated eighteen treaties throughout California. Unfortunately none of those treaties were ratified, and the associated Indian Reservations were never created.
1905
On May 6, 1905, under the authority of the 1891 Forest Reserve Act, President Theodore Roosevelt set aside the Klamath Forest Reserve thereby claiming the entire 1.04 million acre Karuk Aboriginal Territory as public land. This action effectively left our Tribe without recognized title to our own land, including 117 recognized villages and associated hunting, gathering, and fishing areas along the middle portion of the Klamath River. Many of our traditional villages were homesteaded by non-Indians or claimed for mining and later patented. Approximately 63 of our members were allotted an average of 11 acres through the 1887 General Allotment Act .
Today
Through the hard work of our elders, who raised the money to purchase our first two properties in Orleans and Happy Camp in the 1970's, along with the direction and frugality of our Tribal Council and staff over the years, we have managed to acquire 1,661 acres of our aboriginal land. We have had the U.S. place 900 of those acres into trust status. Most of this land is utilized for tribal housing, ceremonies, and resource management.
Maps
Explore the Karuk Tribe’s service areas and the lands we help manage and protect.
Land Management FAQs
Answers to common questions.
The Land Management Department is responsible for advancing tribal sovereignty and supporting community well-being through effective land acquisition, management, and stewardship. The department works closely with tribal leadership, community members, and local, state, and federal agencies to ensure land use decisions honor cultural values, comply with regulatory requirements, and promote long-term sustainability.
Every project is guided by Tribal sovereignty and cultural traditions. The program works closely with cultural specialists and environmental experts to ensure sacred sites and natural resources are respected while supporting community needs.
Yes. The Tribe encourages participation through volunteer opportunities, cultural resource monitoring, and community consultations. Input from Tribal members helps shape decisions and ensures that land management reflects shared priorities.
Contact Department
Have questions? Reach out to us for more information.