Sakajawea "Bird Woman"

Sakajawea Meaning "Bird Woman", played an important role in history. Her name is often spelled Sacajawea. She rose the Native American woman to higher levels of admiration and respect, among other recognitions. She was most likely born in 1790 in Eastern Idaho, a Native American of the Shoshoni tribe, who served as an interpreter and guide for the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1805 and 1806.

In 1800, she was kidnapped by a group of Hidatsa, and taken to their village near the present Washburn, North Dakota. She there, grew up culturally affiliated with the Hidatsa tribe. Sakajawea's name is taken from the Hidatsa phrase for "Bird Woman". At the age of about sixteen she married a French trapper by the name of Toussaint Charbonneau, who was also concurrently married to another Shoshone woman. Toussaint Charbonneau had purchased both from the Hidatsa tribe as slaves. Sacagawea was pregnant with their first child when the Corps of Discovery arrived in the area to spent the winter of 1804/1805. Needing someone to interpret the Hidatsa language, Lewis and Clark interviewed Charbonneau for the job. Somehow they were not at all impressed with him, but the deal was sealed when they discovered that Sacagawea spoke Shoshone. This was an added bonus. She would become invaluable in her role as interpreter.

Sacagawea gave birth to their son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, on February 11, 1805. Then Charbonneau, Clark, Lewis and Sacajawea and her son traveled, it was because of Sacajawea that they bypassed rough terrain. She would carry the infant throughout the entire trip to the Pacific Ocean and back. She also kept the horses and food fresh during the whole expedition because of her brother, chief Cameahwait, and scavenged for food when it was scarce. William Clark wrote all about her in his journal, praising her repeatedly. Clark offered that Jean Baptiste be taken to St. Louis, away from abusive Charbonneau. In the end, Sacajawea did take her son and Jean Baptiste was raised as Clark's own. Also, it was Clark who named a river Sacajawea in her tribute. On the Lewis and Clark expedition, Sacagawea's main duties were as a translator.

It is at this point that history becomes unclear. One story says that Sacajawea died of "putrid fever" on December 20, 1812. However, there is a second story. There was a Native American woman that married a few times, had more children, and was reunited with her son, Jean Baptiste. She was called Porvo and she knew inside facts on the expedition, spoke French, had a Jeff Medal around her neck, spoke politically, introduced the Shoshoni to the Sun Dance Ceremony, and advocated for the Shoshoni's need of agriculture. History has it that Porvo died on April 9, 1884 and is buried at Fort Washakie in honor of the expedition. Historians and scientists today believe that Porvo was most likely Sacajawea.

Recently, the Golden Dollar coin was created in Sacajawea's memory. The front of the coin shows Sacajawea with her son, Jean Baptiste, on her back, and the back shows an eagle, the United States of America's symbol. This was done in tribute to Sacajawea, for the expedition never could of been successful without her, and it was very important to history and the settling of the west.

I found Sacagawea's story very interesting. She is such a significant part of our history yet her story is really unclear, especially at the end of her life. It's really amazing how much individual's do for us in a good way and make history yet we cannot possibly learn about it all. So I'm thankful for this project, cause I feel I gained just a little more insight on some history, especially insight on Sacagawea's life and how she made a change.