Approximately one month prior to the Pikiavish ceremony (meaning "The Priest is going to fix the world"), a stone altar is built near the nouth of Clear Creek in Karuk territory. The altar is built in the form of a semi-circle up to eye level in height. It is within this wall that the Medicine Man gathers the powers given to him to make medicine for his people - to bring an abundance of fish from the river and good hunting from the forest.
Here he will start the ceremony, and here he will end it after many days of travel, fasting, prayer and talk with the Great Spirit. When he returns from his solitary journey to this site, he is served by two female assistants who have also fasted since his last meal. The spring from which the Medicine Man drinks is also sacred and kept covered to protect its purity for the next World Renewal Ceremony.
Even with the pressures of today's modern problems, this Karuk Tribal tradition is still a fundamental part of their existence.
