Kansas

Kaw
Total population
Regions with significant populations
United States (Oklahoma)
Language(s)
English, Kaw
Religion(s)
Christianity, other
Related ethnic groups
other Siouan peoples

The Kaw (or Kanza) are an American Indians people of the central Midwestern United States. The tribe known as "Kaw" have also been known as the "Wild People", "People of water", "Kansa", "Kaza", "Kosa", and "Kasa".

It is from the name of this tribe that the toponym "Kansas" is derived. The Kaw are closely related to the Osage Nation.

The region claimed by the Kanza Nation was ceded to the United States by the treaty of June 1825. The Missouri Shawanoes (or Shawnees) were the first Indians removed to the territory set apart for emigrant tribes by the treaties of June, 1825. The Kanzas and Osages were relocated later.

The only Native American to reach the Vice Presidency of the United States was Charles Curtis, under Herbert Hoover (1929–1933). His mother was a Kaw.

The Curtis Act, named for the Congressman and future Vice-President who sponsored it, in 1898 expanded the powers of the federal government over American Indian affairs. An act of congress in 1902 disbanded the Kaw tribe as a legal entity. This act transferred 160 acres (0.6 km²) to the federal government and about 1,625 acres (6.6 km²) of Kaw land to Curtis and his children.

The federal land was used to found the city of Washungah, Oklahoma. The Kaw Nation of Oklahoma later regained recognition and is currently located in Kaw City, Oklahoma.

The U.S. jazz saxophonist, singer, and composer Jim Pepper (1941-1992) was of both Kaw and Creek ancestry.

On April 23, 2000 the last Kaw fullblood, William A. Mehojah died: and, the Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park (AMHP) was dedicated on June 19, 2005 near Council Grove, Kansas.

External links

• Al-le-ga-wa-ho Memorial
• Kaw Nation of Oklahoma
• Rootsweb Kaw article.[[fr:Kaw

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