Historical Marker: The Kansa Tribe

Introduction

Kansas is named after the Kansa tribe, whose traditional territory was located in the northeast part of the state. This marker, which is located on the grounds of the State Capitol building, provides a brief description of the tribe's culture and history. The Kansa's situation slowly began to change once European traders first made contact with them in the 18th century. By the turn of the 19th century, the tribe's situation worsened. A treaty signed in 1825 decreased the size of the Kansa's territory. The tribe also suffered from disease and the constant arrival of white settlers, who often encroached on Kansa lands. The federal government relocated the Kansa to the Upper Neosho Valley in 1844 and, later in 1863, ordered all tribes to move out of the state into Oklahoma. The Kansa made this move in 1873.

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Backstory and Context

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