PG&E awards $100,000 to Karuk Tribe

Blue Lake, Ca., (KIEM)- Today the Karuk tribe received a $100,000 grant from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). They are one of two recipients of the ‘Better Together Resilient Communities’ grant. The money will go toward helping communities served by PG&E in growing what the company calls “climate resilience.”

In this particular case, resilience means fire resistance. The money will go to controlled burns, and other fire prevention efforts. The goal is to make Karuk tribal land in eastern Humboldt County more resilient in its ability to withstand wildfire. In awarding the funds the company will not only be protecting their own assets (lines that could be damaged by a blaze), they’ll also improve the safety of citizens.

This program, grant recipients say, is unique in its understanding of tribal needs. “”We’re intending to mimic some of our traditional cultural practices around fire’s use. The Karuk tribe has used fire for thousands of years, both in ceremonial practice and utilitarian function.” Bill Tripp the Deputy Director of Eco-Cultural Revitalization for the Karuk Tribe explains.