Kaw
In the 16th century the Kaw, or Kansa tribe, lived near the Kansas and Missouri Rivers. Each village was ruled by a chief elected by a council. Then a head chief was chosen to oversee all the villages. These chiefs were picked by democratic process, but later, after European contact, the Kaw adopted a hereditary chieftain system.
The Kaw built large, round wood-frame lodges. These were covered with woven mats and sometimes earth. Often, these buildings housed five to six families and were from 30-60 feet in diameter.
Buffalo was a staple of the Kaw, along with corn, beans, pumpkin, and wild potatoes. Women were responsible for farming and the home, while men hunted and protected the village.
In 1825, due to enroachment of settlers, the Kaw ceded their Missouri lands and moved into Kansas. Initially, they lived in the central part of the state, but they moved once more before settling in Indian Territory (Oklahoma) in 1873. Even though the Kaw/Kansa no longer reside in Kansas, the state has the distinction of being named after them.
About the Flag:
Two men on horseback appear on the Kaw flag. One warrior has his hands upraised, evoking the wind for guidance. Another name for the Kaw is the "Wind People".
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