(1786?–1812?). Although she is a well-known figure in American history, there is little factual information known about Sacagawea. A member of the Shoshone Native American tribe, Sacagawea accompanied the Lewis and Clark Expedition from 1804 to 1806. She traveled thousands of miles in the wilderness on the journey to the Pacific Ocean. Sacagawea's courage in the face of hardships and danger has earned her a place on the United States golden dollar, which was introduced in 2000. Early lifeThe year of Sacagawea's birth is uncertain. It is believed that she was born between 1780 and 1790, in either western Montana or eastern Idaho. When Sacagawea was about 10 or 12 years old, she was captured by a group of Hidatsa Native Americans. They took her to their village in the region of the upper Missouri River in present-day North Dakota. After about four years, Sacagawea became the wife of a French Canadian trapper named Toussaint Charbonneau. There are two stories about how Sacagawea became Charbonneau's wife. One version says that she was sold to him, and another says that she was won by him in a bet. ExpeditionIn 1803 President Thomas Jefferson organized an expedition to explore the territory between the Missouri River and the Pacific Ocean. Headed by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, the expedition arrived among the Mandan tribe of Native Americans in the fall of 1804. Sacagawea joins the expeditionThe expedition spent the winter among the Mandan, near what is now Bismarck, North Dakota. During this time Lewis and Clark hired Charbonneau as an interpreter and guide. Because of Sacagawea's ability to speak Shoshone, they asked that she accompany them as well. On February 11, 1805, Sacagawea gave birth to a baby boy, Jean-Baptiste. When the expedition set out on April 7, Sacagawea carried her infant son on her back. ContributionsSacagawea proved to be an important member of the team. She identified plants for the explorers and searched for fruits and vegetables that they could eat. When a boat tipped over, she rescued the journals, medicines, and other valuable items that had washed overboard. Sacagawea also helped the expedition in another way. Native American tribes believed that a woman with an infant would only travel with a peaceful group. Therefore, when the expedition encountered unfamiliar tribes, her presence showed Native Americans that the group came in peace. In return for her great service, Lewis and Clark named a river for her. Sacagawea's most important contribution came on August 17, 1805. The expedition encountered a group of the Shoshone tribe near present-day Armsted in Montana. Much to the surprise of all, it was Sacagawea's brother, Cameahwait, who was chief. Cameahwait gave the travelers horses and guides to help them on their journey. Completion of the expeditionCharbonneau and Sacagawea went all the way to the Pacific coast with the expedition. On the return journey, they remained with the Mandan Native Americans, while the rest of the expedition continued to St. Louis. Evidence suggests that Sacagawea and Charbonneau later traveled to St. Louis in 1809. Clark had taken a liking to their son, Jean-Baptiste, whom he called Pomp, or Pompey, and offered to educate the boy. Sacagawea and Charbonneau agreed, and she stayed for some time in St. Louis. DeathThere are several stories regarding Sacagawea's death. Many people believe that she died on December 12, 1812, at Fort Manuel on the Missouri River in present-day South Dakota. She was only about 25 years old. In 1875, however, an Indian woman claiming to be Sacagawea was living among the Wind River Shoshone in Wyoming. This woman died in 1884. Memorials associated with Sacagawea have been constructed at Fort Manuel and throughout the United States. In 2000, the United States Mint recognized her contributions by engraving her and her son, Jean-Baptiste, on the golden dollar coin. |