Karok

The Karok Native American people historically inhabited the middle 60-mile stretch of the Klamath River in northwestern California. Culturally, economically, and religiously the Karok were very similar to their neighbors the Yurok and Hupa; their Hokan language distinguished them. The word karok means upriver, and Karok lived upriver to the Yurok; the Karok were known as the Karok-w-arara or the “upriver people.” Prior to Euroamerican contact it has been estimated that the Karok indigenous population was around 2,700 people. The 1990 US Census recorded 3,077 Karok Native American individuals, although some have claimed there are closer to 5,000 individuals.

Name: Karok (also Karuk), The name means “upriver people.”

Location: Along the Klamath River in northwestern California.

Population: 2,700 in the early 1800s; officially 3,077 in 1990.

Language Family: Hokan.

First Contact by Euroamericans: Around 1850 by goldminers.

Current Tribal Status: The Karok tribe of California was established in 1965. In 1994 the Karok Native American tribe received federal recognition as a self-governing tribe.

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