I was discussing with my daughter this series about women in American history and asked if there were women she felt would be important to include. She reminded me of our heroine from today, and I am so glad she did.
Lewis and Clark are often lauded for their incredible expedition to map out the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase in the early 19th Century. However, if not for Sacagawea*, it is possible they never would have returned to report their findings.
Born sometime around 1788 in what is now Idaho, the 12-year-old Shoshone girl was taken by a rival tribe, the Hidatsa. It was after this that Sacagawea became one of the wives of Touissant Charbonneau, a French-Canadian trader. The family was living in the Hidatsa-Mandan village in the winter of 1804 when the Lewis and Clark expedition arrived and decided to spend the cold months in a nearby encampment. This decision would change the course of history, as young Sacagawea would prove instrumental in assisting the Corps of Discovery.
Charbonneau was hired as a guide and interpreter for the men heading west, since he was familiar with the sign languages of the tribes they anticipated encountering along the river. Sacagawea was considered a bonus translator for them when it came time for dealing with the Shonshone.
When the group of 31 men left the camp to resume their expedition in the spring, Sacagawea strapped her newborn son on her back. She was around 17 years old. She proved her worth to the leaders time and again. First, when one of the boats tipped sideways and valuable supplies went into the river, she jumped into action, saving valuable navigational instruments, books, gunpowder, medicines, and clothing.
As the Corps continued on its course, the young girl recognized a place from her childhood and soon the travelers encountered the Shoshone tribe. When Sacagawea was asked to translate to the chief, Cameahwait, she realized it was her brother! She was able to obtain additional guides and horses for the Lewis and Clark expedition. Without the horses, traveling over the Bitterroot Mountains (part of the Rockies) would have been impossible. Later on the journey, she was even permitted a vote, as noted in Clark’s journal, when the group was deciding where to make their winter encampment. He also noted in his journal, “The Indian woman … has been of great service to me as a pilot through this country.”
Though never paid for her work on the Corps of Discovery, her contribution continues to be remembered, on memorials all over the United States, as well as on a dollar coin. It shows her carrying her son Jean Baptiste, nicknamed Pomp.
One book I absolutely loved about the expedition is called New Found Land: Lewis and Clark’s Voyage of Discovery by Allan Wolf. It is historical fiction told in a unique way. The point of view changes throughout between men on the journey, as well as the dog and Sacagawea. It’s a beautiful way to experience the journey. It is not available on Bookshop.org, but I did add The Journals of Lewis and Clark to this month’s resources, as well as Sacajawea by Joseph Bruchac, a respected Native American author. This is an affiliate link; your purchases support my writing. Thank you.
*Note: There are multiple spellings of her name. I went with the most prevalent version.