Thomas Butler's "Bird Woman"
Private
Updated:
4/10/2018
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"Sacagawea" "Bird Woman" was a Shoshone Indian. She was born in the Idaho area around 1788. Sacagawea means bird woman. She was kidnapped by Hidats when she was around twelve years old. The Lewis and Clark Expedition met Sacagawea at Fort Mandan. She was asked to join the Expedition because of her knowledge of the terrain and ability to speak different Native American languages.As a teenager, she served the Expedition as interpreter, diplomat, and peace symbol. She did all this while carrying her infant son on her back.Sacagawea taught the men how to find edible plants, berries, and nuts which gave them needed vitamins and nourishment. These foods were previously unknown to Americans and Europeans. In 1803, the United States acquired the land west of the Mississippi River in an agreement called the Louisiana Purchase. This land was called the Louisiana Territory. The next year, Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set off to explore this new territory. The Expedition began in St. Louis, Missouri. It traveled up the Missouri River towards the Rocky Mountains. Its goal was to reach the Pacific Ocean by land. Lewis and Clark kept written journals of their experiences. They documented the terrain, rivers, mountains, people, plants, and animals. These journals were a valuable resource to understanding the new territory. Without Sacagawea, the journals may have been lost.The boat carrying Sacagawea and the supplies tipped over. These supplies were necessary for the success of the Expedition. There were books, instruments, medicines, goods for trading, and Clark's journal. Sacagawea's quick thinking saved the supplies. She picked them up one by one until they were safely back in the boat Sacagawea had knowledge of many Native American languages, customs, and tribes. She helped the Expedition by translating and negotiating at important Indian councils.The most important council was the negotiation for horses with the Shoshone Indians. The Expedition needed these horses to cross the Rocky Mountains.During the negotiation for horses with the Shoshone Indians, as it turns out, the chief of the Shoshone Indians was Sacagawea's brother. Sacagawea was successful in getting the horses for the Expedition and happy to see her family again.She had not seen them for many years. The Expedition reached the Pacific Ocean in November, 1805. It is believed Sacagawea died in 1812, at the age of 24, because the next year, William Clark became legal guardian of Sacagawea's two children, Pompy and Lisette. Also, in 1820, Clark compiled a list which reported the status of the members of the expedition. On this list, Clark stated Sacagawea had already died.There are twenty three statues honoring Sacagawea. She has more statues in her honor than any other woman in America. There are also mountains, lakes, and rivers named for her. In 2000, the United States Mint commemorated Sacagawea on the Golden Dollar coin. The design of the coin was selected in national competion from among 120 submissions .On the front of the coin is a picture of Sacagawea conceived by artist Glenna Goodacre, carrying Little Pomp (Jean Baptiste).The reverse shows an eagle in flight designed by mint engraver Thomas D. Rogers, Sr.
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