Kaya'aton'my


 * "Kaya" redirects here. For the doll, see Kaya'aton'my (doll).

Kaya was the eighth Historical Character of the American Girls, representing early Native America. Kaya was released in 2002.

Personality and Facts
Kaya (pronounced KY-yah) is a Native American girl of the Nimiipuu, or Nez Perce tribe. Her stories are set prior to permanent settlement of the area by Caucasians. The stories are post-Western contact, as evidenced by the fact the tribe has horses and her grandmother has pock-marks from prior contact that has led to disease.

Kaya is a very active young girl, fitting with an outdoor lifestyle. She swims in the river every morning with the other girls. She cares greatly for animals, especially horses. She likes her grandmother's stories.

Kaya many times acts before she thinks, getting her into trouble many times through the series. In Meet Kaya, her rash actions get her in trouble, earning a switch from Whip Woman and the nickname "Magpie" which she tries desperately to get rid of. Later, her rash actions get her and Speaking Rain kidnapped by another tribe. Kaya is prone to boast or brag to seem important. She hopes to become a strong, courageous leader of her people.

Kaya tries to seem strong, even when she is feeling at her worst.

Kaya was awarded with the name of her heroine, Swan Circling, and is going to use it when she is ready.

American Girl characterizes her as "adventurous" and "daring" with a generous spirit. American Girl featured video describes her as "True-Hearted'. American Girl e-cards describes her also as loyal and clever.

Family and Friends

 * See Also: Minor Characters in Kaya's Series

Family

 * Toe-ta: Kaya's father.
 * Eetsa: Kaya's mother.
 * Brown Deer: Kaya's older sister.
 * Wing Feather and Sparrow: Kaya's younger twin brothers.
 * Speaking Rain: Kaya's blind adopted sister.
 * Kalutsa: Kaya's grandfather; Toe-ta's father.
 * Aalah: Kaya's grandmother; Toe-ta's mother.
 * Pi-lah-ka Kaya's grandfather; Eetsa's father.
 * Kautsa Kaya's grandmother; Eetsa's mother.
 * Cut Cheek: Kaya's brother-in-law and Brown Deer's husband.

Friends and Other Characters

 * Steps High: Kaya's horse.
 * Swan Circling: A warrior in Kaya's tribe.
 * Two Hawks: A captive boy.
 * Lone Dog: A dog Kaya befriends.
 * Tatlo: Kaya's pet dog.
 * White Braids: An older woman who cares for Speaking Rain.

Books
See: List of Kaya's Books

Doll
Main Article: Kaya'aton'my (doll)
 * Face Mold: Kaya has a unique face mold with a closed mouth due to a Nimíipuu cultural taboo of baring teeth.
 * Skin: Medium
 * Hair: Textured black, straight and long
 * Eyes: Dark Brown

Meet Outfit

 * Deerskin dress
 * Fringed belt
 * Moccasins
 * Hair shells

Meet Accessories

 * Porcupine quill necklace
 * Belt pouch
 * Woven bag

Collection

 * See: Kaya's Collection

Trivia

 * Kaya is marketed as the First American Girl, properly acknowledging that Native people were here in America before any European contact or settlements.
 * Kaya's books are set in a time and place that is not technically part of America yet; at the time, some European contact had been made but the Pacific Northwest was still unclaimed by any European nation. The area did not officially become part of the US until the Oregon Country was given to the US as part of the Oregon Treaty of 1846.
 * Many of Kaya's books have titles that differ from the then-set format (Kaya's Escape, Kaya Shows the Way, Kaya's Hero, etc.).