Kya was Katara and Sokka's mother who met her early demise when a team of Fire Nation troopers raided her village and demanded to find a waterbender. Kya knew her daughter was a waterbender, but saved her by instead claiming she was the waterbender. As a result of her confession, Fire Nation officer Yon Rha executed her. Kya's husband Hakoda fought harder in battle after learning of her sacrifice.
Katara kept a hold of one of her necklaces to remember her.