Sacagawea: Heroine of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

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The United States entered a period of territorial expansion in the 19th century. At that phase, large portions of the country’s land consisted of undisturbed forest. Maps only charted states along the east coast. Lack of western topographic information encouraged the government to increase its exploration funding. It sponsored the Lewis and Clark Expedition, arguably its most famous mission, to survey the harsh wilderness.
The expedition met various Native American tribes along its journey. Naturally, the ability to communicate effectively became essential to the group’s survival. A teenage Shoshone girl named Sacagawea acted as their interpreter. Despite being the only woman to join the expedition, Sacagawea proved her worth through displays of extraordinary courage and resourcefulness. She did not receive proper acknowledgment until years after her death; however, many remember her as the unsung hero of the expedition.
Sacagawea’s contributions went beyond lingual interpretation. Recalling her past with the Shoshone tribe, she provided useful information about navigating the otherwise unfamiliar landscape. The explorers knew little about finding food, but with her knowledge, they managed to find edible plants. As a native, Sacagawea’s presence also helped to diffuse tensions with tribes that distrusted the explorers. Lewis and Clark responded to her loyalty with due respect. They allowed her to participate and vote in group decisions, long before women’s suffrage rights. Sacagawea later became “a symbol of rights and a face for the National American Woman Suffrage Association.”

The name Sacagawea translates to “bird woman” in Hidatsa and “boat puller” in Shoshone language. “Among scholars there's a preferred spelling [...

... middle of paper ...

...ssion led to the discovery that the Chief’s sister, Sacagawea, worked as their interpreter. The two reunited and the tribe held a brief, but happy celebration. Afterwards, Sacagawea mediated with the Shoshones, convincing them to share crucial resources with the expedition.

Works Cited

http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0400/frameset_reset.html?http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0400/stories/0401_0107.html

http://www.historynet.com/sacagawea http://www.sacagawea-biography.org/significance-role-lewis-clark-expedition/ http://www.cdapress.com/lifestyles/article_26b2bdb5-6967-55ce-ad97-b8d91f69d007.htmlhttp://www.defense.gov/specials/nativeamerican01/life.html http://www.shoshoneindian.com/ http://www.nwhm.org/education-resources/biography/biographies/sacajawea/ http://www.shoshoneindian.com/ http://www.behindthename.com/name/sacagawea
http://www.historynet.com/sacagawea

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