As the sun nestles into the Klamath mountains of Northern California, my parents, partner, and I make our way through the willow brush on Tishawnik flat. My mother, a prolific Karuk basketweaver, shows me how to prune the willow, ensuring its optimal growth. In exchange, we accept its gift of sticks, destined to become spines of elegant baskets.
The principle of reciprocity is central to Karuk teachings and resonant in many Indigenous cultures. In the Karuk worldview, success in life is not so much defined by academic achievement but by how you serve your community, the land, and the generations to come.
A similar community-oriented focus drives many of my Indigenous colleagues at Hopkins.
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