Kaúxuma Núpika facts for kids

Kaúxuma Núpika was a remarkable person from the Kutenai (Ktunaxa) people. Their name means "Gone to the Spirits." They were also known as Qánqon Kámek Klaúla, which means "Sitting in the Water Grizzly." Kaúxuma Núpika lived in the early 1800s and was known for their travels and special abilities.

Kaúxuma Núpika's Journeys and Role

Kaúxuma Núpika traveled a lot across the Pacific Northwest. They worked as a guide and messenger for fur trappers and traders. These were people who explored new lands and traded animal furs. Kaúxuma Núpika also had a special role as a prophet. A prophet is someone believed to have spiritual insights or can predict future events.

Meeting David Thompson

The famous explorer David Thompson wrote about Kaúxuma Núpika in his journals around 1811. Thompson met Kaúxuma Núpika near the Upper Columbia River. Kaúxuma Núpika was seen as a prophet who could predict important events. They even warned people about deadly diseases that would arrive in the area.

Thompson described Kaúxuma Núpika as a "young man" who was well-dressed and carried a bow and arrows. Kaúxuma Núpika was traveling with their wife. Thompson noted that Kaúxuma Núpika was having trouble with the Chinooks, a group they had joined, because of these predictions.

A Special Influence

Years later, in 1823, another explorer named John Franklin heard about Kaúxuma Núpika. Franklin wrote that in 1815, a "manlike woman" was at Fort Chipewyan. This person's followers believed they had "supernatural abilities." They predicted big changes for the Native peoples in the area.

In 1825, a Kutenai person who wore men's clothing and spoke French worked as an interpreter at a trading post. This person was believed to be Kaúxuma Núpika. People thought Kaúxuma Núpika was special because they were very good at roles usually done by men, even though they had a delicate build. Some believed that taking on different gender roles could mean someone had spiritual or shamanic powers.

A Dangerous Mission

Kaúxuma Núpika once took on a very risky journey. They carried an important package between two Hudson's Bay Company trading posts. This trip went through dangerous lands with many different tribes. Kaúxuma Núpika traveled with their wife. During the journey, they were attacked and wounded, but they still completed their mission.

The End of a Peacemaker

Kaúxuma Núpika earned the name "Sitting in the Water Grizzly" after a clever move. They crouched low while crossing a stream to hide their identity from enemies. Sadly, Kaúxuma Núpika was killed while trying to make peace between two fighting tribes. Old stories say that Kaúxuma Núpika's wounds would heal each time they were struck. Finally, their enemy had to cut out their heart to defeat them.

Kaúxuma Núpika is remembered as a powerful and spiritual leader who tried to bring peace to their people.

See also

• Two-Spirit