1910

Kiilhsoohkwa Purse

Kilsoquah, Sun Woman (1810-1915)

Kilsoquah was the granddaughter of Miami Chief Little Turtle. Born in 1810, she saw unprecedented change in her 105 years of life. From growing up in a traditional native woodland culture to the removal of her people from Indiana in 1846 and the industrialization of America, Kilsouquah experienced a changing of worlds during her lifetime. Throughout her life she spoke only the Miami language and her son Anthony Revarre acted as her interpreter. She and her son were allowed to stay in Indiana because of a resolution passed by Congress in 1850 exempting Miami and their descendants who held treaty reserves from removal.

This purse was created by Kilsouquah around the time of her 100th birthday. It is made of velvet and is heavily beaded in crystal as well as white, blue, red and green glass beads.