Kay Gway Dah Se Gaik

Kay Gway Dah Se Gaik was a Chippewa woman of the Leech Lake Pillager band
(Curator Note: Not the same person as Kay-Ge-Gay-Aush-Eak 'Martha Smith" (aka Martha Smith) who was also Chippewa and in the Canton Asylum at the same time!)

The largest Indian group in Minnesota calls itself Anishinaabe, which means "the original people." Europeans named them Ojibwe. No one is exactly sure how this name developed. Perhaps it came from the Anishinaabe word "ojib," which describes the puckered moccasins worn by the people. Some Europeans had trouble saying Ojibwe, pronouncing it instead as Chippewa. But both these names refer to the same people. In Canada, the Anishinaabe call themselves Ojibwe. In the United States, many tribal members prefer the name Chippewa.
Source: “White Earth Nation.” Whiteearth.com, whiteearth.com/history.
(Curator Note: See the downloadable PowerPoint presentation link on this site)

Photo sourced from MNHS Collections online taken c. 1885 of Chippewa Wigwam and Indians on the St. Croix, Photographer: Sargent, Sanford C., @ https://www.mnhs.org/search/collections/record/9b5fadfd-ebb6-47a4-a...

Photo sourced from MNHS Collections online taken c. 1908-1916 of Ojibwe dwelling, White Earth Indian Reservation, White Earth Indian Reservation photograph collection, I.364., @ https://www.mnhs.org/search/collections/record/fb89a808-e19d-4fe2-b...

Agent's residence at White Earth, c. 1915, “Gale Family Library.” Minnesota Historical Society, www.mnhs.org/library @ https://www.mnhs.org/search/collections/record/735e3657-f5ce-49a3-a...

Biography:
Kay Gway Dah Se Gaik was born c. 1839 probably in the area that became the White Earth Reservation to unknown parents. She married at least once, to a Chief named No Din Ah Quah Um sometime before 1864, and had one daughter named Wah We Yay Ke Shig O Quay born in c. 1864. She was divorced before June 30, 1894.

According to Carla Joinson in her book Vanished in Hiawatha, Kay Gway Dah Se Gaik was admitted to the Canton Asylum on December 20, 1908, and diagnosed with Senile dementia, (Senile dementia is a neurodegenerative brain disorder also known as senility, which is an outdated term that was used to describe cognitive decline in older people, especially memory loss. The term "senile" refers to the age of onset, which was considered senile if it developed after age 65.) revised in 1910 to senile psychosis, dementing (Senile psychosis, also known as senile dementia, is a type of dementia that results from brain degeneration without cerebrovascular disease. (Dementia (dementing)-related psychosis is a condition that can cause a decline in thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as hallucinations or delusions. Symptoms of dementia-related psychosis can include hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, agitation or aggression, and depression.)

In the letter dated February 17, 1934, to the commissioner of Indian Affairs, Dr. L.L. Culp advises that Kay Gway Dah Se Gaik arrived at the Canton Asylum from Cass Lake, Minnesota, died in the asylum on October 14, 1910, at the age of 71, and was buried in the Canton Hiawatha Cemetery in tier 5, plot 15.

Her profile is part of the The Canton Asylum One Place Study.

Research Notes:
-Before the 1898 census she had a slightly different spelling to her name but the age, and that she is a widow, and census line number are consistent, (sic) Kay Gway Da Say Quay, the last syllable being different from Gaik

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Sources:

1885 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll649unit/page/n85/mode/1.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 86/906, line 1069 (age 46), census of the Leech Lake Pillager, White Earth Agency, Minnesota

1886 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll649unit/page/n335/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 336/906, line 1111 (age 46), census of the Leech Lake Pillager, White Earth Agency, Minnesota

1887 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll649unit/page/n752/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 753/906, line 1064 (age 48), census of the Leech Lake Pillager, White Earth Agency, Minnesota

1888 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll649unit/page/n805/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 806/906, line 1053 (age 49), census of the Leech Lake Pillager, White Earth Agency, Minnesota

1889 -

1890 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll650unit/page/n100/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 101/819, line 1016 (age 51, married), census of the Leech Lake Pillager Chippewa Indians, White Earth Agency, Minnesota

1891 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll650unit/page/n526/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 527/819, line 1030 (age 52, married), census of the Leech Lake Pillager Chippewa Indians, White Earth Agency, Minnesota

1892 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll650unit/page/n659/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 660/819, line 984 (age 53, married), census of the Leech Lake Pillager Chippewa Indians, White Earth Agency, Minnesota

1893 -

1894 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll651unit/page/n194/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 195/567, line 1024 (age 55, divorced), Leech Lake Pillager Chippewa Indians, White Earth Agency, Minnesota

1895 Jun 29 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll651unit/page/n351/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 352/567, line 1025 (age 56, divorced), Leech Lake Pillager Chippewa Indians, White Earth Agency, Minnesota

1896 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll652unit/page/n334/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 335/735, line 1028 (age 57, widow), Leech Lake Pillager Chippewa Indians, White Earth Agency, Minnesota

1897 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll652unit/page/n686/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 687/735, line 1036 (age 58), Leech Lake Pillager Chippewa Indians, White Earth Agency, Minnesota

1898 Aug - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll653unit/page/n82/mode/1.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 83/727, line 1039 (age 59), Leech Lake Pillager Chippewa Indians, White Earth Agency, Minnesota

1899 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll243unit/page/n156/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 157/608, line 778 (age 60), census of the Leech Lake Pillager Chippewa, Leech Lake Agency, Minnesota

1900 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll243unit/page/n189/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 190/608, line 167 (age 61), census of the Leech Lake Pillager Chippewa, Leech Lake Agency, Minnesota

1901 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll243unit/page/n302/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 303/608, line 165 (age 62), census of the Leech Lake Pillager Chippewa, Leech Lake Agency, Minn

1902 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll243unit/page/n576/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 577/608, line 166 (age 63), census of the Pillager Chippewa, Leech Lake Agency, Minnesota

1903 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll244unit/page/n101/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 102/458, line 170 (age 64), census of the Leech Lake Pillager Chippewa Indians, Leech Lake Agency, Minnesota

1904 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll244unit/page/n165/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 166/458, line 171 (age 65), census of the Leech Lake Pillager Chippewa Indians, Leech Lake Agency, Minnesota

1905 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7MR2-F4MM : Sun Mar 10 01:42:32 UTC 2024), Entry for Kay Gway Dah Se Gaik, 1905, pg. 369/461, line 170 (age 66), census of the Leech Lake Pillager Chippewa Indians, Leech Lake Agency, Minnesota

1906 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll245unit/page/n75/mode/1.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 76/776, line 169 (age 67), census of the Leech Lake Pillager Chippewa Indians, Leech Lake Indian Agency, Minnesota

1907 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll245unit/page/n204/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 205/776, line 168 (age 68), census of the Leech Lake Pillager Chippewa Indians, Leech Lake Agency, Minn.

1908 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QTCL-MWN2 : Sat Mar 09 00:29:43 UTC 2024), Entry for Kay Gway Dah Se Gaik, 1908, pg. 298/779, line 170 (age 69), census of the Leed Lake Pillager Chippewa Indians, Leech Lake Agency, MInn.

1909 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll245unit/page/n400/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 401/776, line 180 (age 70), census of the Leech Lake Pillager Chippewa Indians, Leech Lake Agency, Minn.

1910 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll245unit/page/n506/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 507/776, line 170 (age 71), census of the Leech Lake Pillager Indians, Leech Lake Agency, Minn.

1910 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:688Q-JDDD : Sun Mar 10 00:41:51 UTC 2024), Entry for , 1910, pg. 505/522, line 43 (age 70), female census of the Canton Asylum

1910 Oct 12 - Camp Verde School: 1910-27; Canton Insane Asylum: 1910-22, Series: Superintendents' Annual Narrative and Statistical Reports, Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 7th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20408 @ https://catalog.archives.gov/id/155854182?objectPage=676, line 107, Table 7 Form of mental disease of those admitted since opening of Asylum

1910 Oct 12 - Camp Verde School: 1910-27; Canton Insane Asylum: 1910-22, Series: Superintendents' Annual Narrative and Statistical Reports, Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 7th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20408 @ https://catalog.archives.gov/id/155854182?objectPage=677, line 58, Table 8 Form of mental disease of those in Asylum, June 30, 1910, revised

1910 Oct 14 - Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14491700/--kaygwaydahsegaik: accessed May 23, 2024), memorial page for - Kaygwaydahsegaik (unknown–14 Oct 1910), Find a Grave Memorial ID 14491700, citing Hiawatha Asylum Cemetery, Canton, Lincoln County, South Dakota, USA; Maintained by Graveaddiction (contributor 46528400).

1910 Oct 14 - Hilton, M. (Ed.). (2023, July 10). Hiawatha Asylum for Insane Indians Historical Marker. Historical Marker. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=183486 Photo by Ruth VanSteenwyk, July 10, 2023, courtesy of HMdb.org

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