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The Shoshoni (also Shoshone) lived in Idaho, parts of Utah and parts
of Northern Nevada, and it is believed that Sacajawea was born in Eastern
Idaho in what is now Salmon, Idaho. Everything about Sacajawea is mysterious
from the correct spelling and meaning of her name, to the circumstances
surrounding her death. Some of what we do have recorded is relayed here.
At about age 10, Sacajawea was captured by a raiding band of Hidatsa
and carried to their camp near the border of North Dakota. Eventually,
Sacajawea was sold to a French-Canadian fur trader named Toussaint Charbonneau.
The Corps of Discovery (as the Lewis and Clark Expedition was officially
named) had camped for the winter at Fort Mandan in North Dakota, which
is where Charbonneau was also spending the winter with his pregnant
wife, Sacajawea.
When winter broke, Charbonneau was hired to guide Lewis & Clark
due to his knowledge of the country where he trapped. He was specifically
instructed to bring Sacajawea, with her baby boy Jean Baptiste, for
a number of reasons. First of all, the presence of a woman and baby
would establish the peaceful nature of the party. Secondly a Native
translator and negotiator with knowledge of the languages, customs and
tribes of the country was essential.
While Lewis' journals make very little mention of Sacajawea, Clark carefully
detailed her contributions to the success of the journey. Her knowledge
of the terrain and mountain passes saved weeks of travel time. Her ability
to speak and negotiate with Native tribes allowed the expedition to
keep fresh horses and food all along the way. When food was scarce,
Sacajawea gathered and prepared roots, nuts, berries and other edible
plants in order to provide tasty nourishment.
Clark was so taken with Sacajawea, and so concerned about her welfare
at the hands of the abusive and wife-beating Charbonneau, that he proposed
taking the infant boy to St. Louis to be raised in safety. For her efforts
in making the expedition successful, Lewis & Clark named a river
"Sacajawea" in her honor.
From here, history becomes cloudy. It is known that Sacajawea did take
her son to Clark in St. Louis (as promised) where he was raised as Clark's
own. She did leave Charbonneau and spend time in St. Louis. One account
says that she died of "putrid fever" (smallpox, tuberculosis,
scarlet fever??) at age 25, and even Clark's account of the members
of his expedition mark her as dead.
Native accounts, however, especially Shoshoni oral history, have Sacajawea
marrying several more times, having a number of children, and meeting
up with her son Jean Baptiste in Wind River, Wyoming. This woman (called
Porivo) had intimate knowledge of the Lewis & Clark expedition,
spoke French, wore a Jefferson Medal around her neck, was a political
speaker who spoke at the meeting which led to the Ft. Bridger Treaty,
was credited with introducing the Sun Dance Ceremony to the Shoshoni,
and was an advocate of agriculture as a necessary skill for the Shoshoni.
Porivo died at age 96, and was buried in the white cemetery at Ft. Washakie
as a final show of respect for her efforts in behalf of both Lewis &
Clark, and her own people.
Dr. Charles Eastman, who had been hired by the Bureau of Indian Affairs
to locate Sacajawea, opted for the Native history as being the most
accurate. After extensive research, Eastman determined that Porivo was,
indeed, Sacajawea and a monument was erected in her honor at her gravesite.
However, Sacajawea's story will change depending upon the account you're
reading, the part of the country you're in, and the heritage of the
author of the story. After the passage of so much time, it is unlikely
that her movements after she left St. Louis will ever be known with
certainty.
What is known with certainty is that Sacajawea was responsible for raising
the Native American woman to a new level of respect and admiration.
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