Nakama (Nahkahhomo) Kayso

Kayso was a Menominee woman from the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin

The Menominee Tribe's history is unique because their origin or creation begins at the mouth of the Menominee River, a mere 60 miles east of our present Menominee Indian Reservation. This is where the five clans: ancestral Bear, Eagle, Wolf, Moose, and Crane were created. Not many tribes in this region can attest to the fact their origin place exists close or near to their present reservation.

Government School, Menominee Indian Reservation (Photo courtest “S. Verna Fowler Library - Special Collections.” Www.menominee.edu, www.menominee.edu/academic-and-public-libraries/special-resources/special-collections. Accessed 5 Mar. 2024.

The birth of the Wau-Kau and the Menominee Nation c. 1848

"When Grandfather made the earth, he also made the sun and the stars. He then created the many spirit beings and gave them the forms of animals and birds. The animals were the underground beings. The principle underground being is the great Silvery White Bear. The birds, mostly eagles and hawks, are the Thunderers. The sky dwellers. The principal Thunderer is the Invisible Thunderer and is represented by the Golden Eagle symbol.

Grandmother, the earth, gave birth to a daughter, the moon. The daughter gave birth to twins. One of the twins grew to become a man. Grandfather gave him many powers so that he could complete the building of the world. He built the hills and the mountains, and made the forests, lakes and rivers.

When the building was completed and before there were people on the earth, at the place where the Village River meets the Bay In Spite of Itself, a Great Light Colored Bear emerged from underground and started traveling up the river. As he traveled he spoke to Grandfather. When Grandfather saw that the Bear was still an animal, he determined to allow the Bear to change his form. The bear was pleased at what Grandfather was going to grant him. So Grandfather changed him into a man, and he became the first Menominee, though he still kept his light skin.

The Great Ancestral Bear traveled along the river and after awhile found that he was alone. Looking up to the sky, he saw a great Golden Eagle circling overhead. He decided to call to himself the Golden Eagle and said: "Golden Eagle, come down and be my brother." Thereupon the Eagle descended, changed into a man, and became the brother of the Bear.

The two Brothers then traveled together. While they continued traveling up the river, they pondered on who they would call upon next to become their Brothers. While considering, they saw a Beaver approaching. When they met, the Beaver requested to be taken into the clan of the Thunderers. But, being a woman, was called Beaver Woman, and instead was adopted as the younger Brother of the Bear.

As the journey continued the Bear also adopted the Wolf, the Crane, and the Moose as Brothers, and each changed into a man. The five Brothers traveled up the river. One day the Bear told the Wolf, Crane, Moose, and Golden Eagle to go on separate journeys. Through their travels, each Brother met other animals and birds and each Brother adopted some of them as Younger Brothers. The Younger Brothers changed into men, and all together became the first Menominee people." (audio in two languages available, as spoken by Menominee elders)
Sponsored by the UWSP Library, UW-Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI @ https://www3.uwsp.edu/menominee-clans/origin/index.html
Wrone, David, and Richard Frechette. “The Menominee Clans Story.” Www3.Uwsp.edu, www3.uwsp.edu/menominee-clans/origin/index.html. Accessed 5 Mar. 2024.

The birth of the Wau-Kau and the Menominee Nation c. 1848

Biography:
Born c. 1863, married to Kayso b. 1858, had 1 daughter Keesikoque Kayso born 1888, and 1 son (possibly not since he was born 15 years earlier than his sister!) Jim Wayke Kayso born 1873. According to both Joinson and Culp, the patient inmate was female, ie Nakama Kayso the wife. According to the 1885 Indian census, her to-be husband Ahpamosaw Kaso, was not married but living with a 14-year-old daughter named Ahslanique born c. 1871, who may be a half-sister of her husband.

According to Carla Joinson in her book Vanished in Hiawatha, Kayso was admitted on April 6, 1920, from the Keshena Agency, Wisconsin, her diagnosis is not recorded, but based on a description of her death was likely related to epilepsy. (Epilepsy can begin at any age, but it most commonly starts in childhood or older adulthood. The most common causes of epilepsy in the elderly are:

• Stroke-related seizures
• Dementia
• Tumors
• Acute stroke
• Toxic-metabolic events
• Trauma)

She died on March 23, 1923, due to a series of epileptic fits.

According to the letter dated February 17, 1934, from Dr. L.L. Culp to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Kayso was buried in the Canton Hiawatha Cemetery in tier 6 (all women except plot 37), plot 43.

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

Research Notes:
-In the 1896 Indian census the family surname is Kaysr
-I did not find them in the 1898 Indian census
-In the 1899 Indian census the family surname is Kagso
-She is not in the 1923 Canton Asylum female census confirming the fact that she died before June 30, 1923
-In some of the earlier censuses they are listed as Cay So.
__________
Sources:

1894 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll172unit/page/n515/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 516/620, line 333 (age 31), census of the Menominee Indians, Green Bay Agency, Wisconsin

1895 Jul 26 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:74GS-LJT2 : Tue Oct 03 22:24:47 UTC 2023), Entry for Namaka, 1897, pg. 78/599, line 332 (age 32), census on the Menominee Indians, Greenbay Agency, Wisconsin

1896 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:74GS-LJT2 : Tue Oct 03 22:24:47 UTC 2023), Entry for Namaka, 1897, pg. 211/599, line 335 (age 33), census on the Menominee Indians, Greenbay Agency, Wisconsin

1897 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:74GS-LJT2 : Tue Oct 03 22:24:47 UTC 2023), Entry for Namaka, 1897, pg. 311/599, line 240 (age 34), census on the Menominee Indians, Greenbay Agency, Wisconsin

1898 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:74GS-LJT2 : Tue Oct 03 22:24:47 UTC 2023), Entry for Namaka, 1897, pg. 400/599, line 1331 (age 35, listed as Wamaka Kagso, son not in the house), census on the Menominee Indians, Greenbay Agency, Wisconsin

1899 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:74GS-LJT2 : Tue Oct 03 22:24:47 UTC 2023), Entry for Namaka, 1897, pg. 596/599, line 1342 (age 36, listed as Wamaka Kagso, son not in the house), census on the Menominee Indians, Greenbay Agency, Wisconsin

1900 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll174unit/page/n45/mode/1.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 46/769, line 1337, census of the Menominee Indians, Green Bay Agency, Wisconsin

1901 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll174unit/page/n45/mode/1.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 98/769, line 1328, census of the Menominee Indians, Green Bay Agency, Wisconsin

1902 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll174unit/page/n136/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 137/769, line 476, census of the Menominee Indians, Green Bay Agency, Wisconsin

1903 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll174unit/page/n219/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 221/769, line 384, census of the Menominee Indians, Green Bay Agency, Wisconsin

1904 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll174unit/page/n392/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 393/769, line 408, census of the Menominee Indians, Green Bay Agency, Wisconsin

1905 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll174unit/page/n392/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 393/769, line 408, census of the Menominee Indians, Green Bay Agency, Wisconsin

1906 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll174unit/page/n495/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 496/769, line 492, census of the Menominee Indians, Green Bay Agency, Wisconsin

1907 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll174unit/page/n600/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 601/769, line 508, census of the Menominee Indians, Green Bay Agency, Wisconsin

1908 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll174unit/page/n695/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 696/769, line 504, census of the Menominee Indians, Green Bay Agency, Wisconsin

1909 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll200unit/page/n35/mode/1.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 36/589, line 530 (Nahkahhomo Kaso), Census of the Menominee Indians, Keshena Indian School, Wisconsin

1910 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll200unit/page/n158/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 159/589, line 530 (Nahkahhomo Kaso), Census of the Menominee Indians, Keshena Indian School, Wisconsin

1911 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll200unit/page/n261/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 262/589, line 575 (Nahkahhomo Kaso), Census of the Menominee Indians, Keshena Indian School, Wisconsin

1912 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll200unit/page/n328/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 329/589, line 601 (Nahkahhomo Kaso), Census of the Menominee Indians, Keshena Indian School, Wisconsin

1913 Jun 28 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll200unit/page/n328/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 423/589, line 575 (Nahkahhomo Kaso), Census of the Menominee Indians, Keshena Indian School, Wisconsin

1914 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll200unit/page/n518/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 519/589, line 581 (Nahkahhomo Kaso), Census of the Menominee Indians, Keshena Indian School, Wisconsin

1915 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll201unit/page/n40/mode/1.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 41/619, line 574, census on the Menominee Indians, Keshena Agency, Wis.

1916 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll201unit/page/n158/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 41/619, line 574 (husband has died), census on the Menominee Indians, Keshena Agency, Wis.

1917 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll201unit/page/n323/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 324/619, line 574, census on the Menominee Indians, Keshena Agency, Wis.

1918 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll201unit/page/n431/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 432/619, line 585, census on the Menominee Indians, Keshena Agency, Wis.

1919 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll201unit/page/n541/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 542/619, line 591, census on the Menominee Indians, Keshena Agency, Wis.

1920 Jun 30 - 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=899, line 17, Canton Asylum female census

1920 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll202unit/page/n40/mode/1.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 41/810, line 604 (Nahkahhomo Kaso, single, Canton, b. 1864), census of the Menominee Indians, Keshena Agency, Wisconsin

1921 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll202unit/page/n153/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 154/810, line 598 (Nahkahhomo Kaso, single, b. 1864), census of the Menominee Indians, Keshena Agency, Wisconsin

1922 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll202unit/page/n346/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 347/810, line 611 (Nahkahhomo Kaso, single, b. 1864), census of the Menominee Indians, Keshena Agency, Wisconsin

1922 Jun 30 - 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=1042, line 20, Canton Asylum female census

1923 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll202unit/page/n528/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 529/810, line 611 (Nahkahhomo Kaso, single, died March 23, 1923), census of the Menominee Indians, Keshena Agency, Wisconsin

1923 Mar 27 - "South Dakota, Grave Registration Records, 1940-1941", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CY86-6M6Z : Fri Dec 15 11:55:10 UTC 2023), Entry for Kayso, no image

1923 Mar 27 - Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14493726/_-kayso: accessed March 5, 2024), memorial page for _ Kayso (unknown–27 Mar 1923), Find a Grave Memorial ID 14493726, citing Hiawatha Asylum Cemetery, Canton, Lincoln County, South Dakota, USA; Maintained by Graveaddiction (contributor 46528400).

1923 Mar 27- 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

Mrs. Twoteeth 1-10-23 · Kayzo (Kayso) 3-27-23 · Josephine DeCouteau 4-9-23