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15 Fascinating Facts About Sacagawea

Sacagawea’s narrative unravels beyond the confines of textbooks, resembling an elaborate tapestry woven with strands of bravery, endurance, and enigma. Her role within the realm of exploration stands as proof of human resilience in confronting adversity head-on.

By engaging with various cultures, Sacagawea established bonds that surpass language, demonstrating how unity can thrive in unforeseen corners. Her magnetism isn’t solely rooted in the sequence of events that shaped her life, but also in the legacy she bequeathed, sparking an enduring flame of curiosity. 

With each unveiling, an additional layer of her extraordinary saga comes to light, interweaving her destiny with the currents of time. Sacagawea’s story surpasses being a mere glimpse into history; it’s a voyage into the shared heritage of humanity, a journey through the corridors of bravery and determination.

As we commemorate her achievements, let’s explore some of the fascinating facts about her existence.

1. She was born into the Agaidika tribe near present-day Salmon, Idaho

Around 1788, she was born as part of the Agaidika tribe near modern-day Salmon, Idaho, close to the continental divide near the present Idaho-Montana border.

2. Sacagawea was taken captive when she was about 12 years old

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When she was around 12 years old around 1800, Sacagawea and a group of other children were taken captive by a Hidatsa gang during a raid that tragically resulted in the deaths of numerous Shoshone people, including four men, four women, and several boys.

She was subsequently imprisoned in a Hidatsa encampment close to where Washburn, North Dakota is now.

3. She was sold into a non-consensual marriage at the age of 13

She was coerced into an arranged union with Quebec-based trapper Toussaint Charbonneau when she was about 13 years old. In addition, Otter Woman, a young Shoshone girl, had been obtained by him for marriage.

It was suggested that Charbonneau either bought both females from the Hidatsa or won Sacagawea via gaming to get them.

4. Sacagawea became a member of the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1804

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The Corps of Discovery reached a Mandan village in 1804. To spend the winter of 1804-05, Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark built Fort Mandan there. They spoke with several trappers who may be able to guide or translate for them on their impending expedition down the Missouri River the following spring.

They chose to use Toussaint Charbonneau’s services because they saw how important it was to communicate with the native groups living close to the Missouri River’s source. Charbonneau said that he was fluent in several Native languages.

They also hired one of his wives who spoke Shoshone well. About a week later, Charbonneau and his wife Sacagawea moved to the expedition’s fort.

The Lewis and Clark expedition was a success and thanks to the crew, things didn’t fall apart that much. Discover fascinating facts about the expedition by following this link.

5. She was pregnant when she joined the Lewis and Clark expedition

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Upon Clark’s acceptance of employing Toussaint Charbonneau and one of his wives, who was proficient in the Shoshone language, they discovered that Sacajawea was pregnant with her first child.

Lewis documented the birth of Jean Baptiste Charbonneau on February 11, 1805, and made a mention that one of the expedition’s interpreters used crushed rattlesnake rattles mixed with water to aid in expediting the childbirth process.

6. Sacagawea worked as a translator along with her husband

Sacagawea served as an interpreter and guide for the expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. When the expedition encountered the Shoshone people, Sacagawea played a pivotal role by facilitating communication for the Corps.

She collaborated with her husband in translation efforts. As the Corps journeyed back to St. Louis in 1806, moving in an easterly direction, they once more halted at the Mandan and Hidatsa villages.

7. Sacagawea was speculated to be romantically involved with Clark

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Numerous fictitious accounts imply that Sacagawea and Lewis or Clark may have had a love relationship during their travels. The diaries, however, show that she remained friendly with Clark and regularly helped him with various jobs.

Novelists who wrote about the voyage a long time after it happened developed the idea of romantic involvement.

8. Sacagawea has a river named after her

The Sacagawea River, which extends for around 30 miles (48 km), serves as a tributary of the Musselshell River in the north-central region of Montana, USA. This river was explored during the Lewis and Clark Expedition and given the name “Sacagawea” in honour of their guide.

The river received its designation due to an incident involving Sacagawea: she was aboard a canoe that encountered a storm, causing the canoe to become unstable. In this critical moment, Sacagawea managed to prevent the canoe from capsizing by gathering all the important books, records, and instruments from the expedition. 

These items were likely shielded by a covering that prevented them from being damaged by water. It was this remarkable action that led to the river being named after her.

Sacagawea River has a reputation in honour of one of the most celebrated female explorers but did you know that there are numerous rivers in the United States?

To find out the most beautiful rivers in the USA, click here.

9. She rescued journals and records by Lewis and Clark from a capsizing canoe

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In April, the expedition departed from Fort Mandan and proceeded up the Missouri River using pirogues. They had to navigate against the river’s current, employing poles and occasionally having the crew haul the boats along the riverbanks.

On May 14, 1805, Sacagawea demonstrated her resourcefulness by retrieving belongings that had fallen into the water when a boat capsized. These items included the important journals and records kept by Lewis and Clark.

Recognizing her swift response, the leaders of the expedition acknowledged her actions and, on May 20, 1805, named the Sacagawea River in her honour.

10. She was more than a translator and proved an invaluable asset

Sacagawea was more than a translator for Lewis and Clark. She was also a guide, a cultural mediator, and a source of hope and strength for the expedition. She helped the explorers navigate the treacherous terrain, negotiate with Native American tribes, and maintain morale during difficult times.

Her presence on the expedition was invaluable, and she is rightly considered one of the most important figures in American history.

11. Sacagawea had voting rights during the expedition

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Sacagawea was a Native American woman, and women did not have the right to vote in the United States at that time. However, she was allowed to vote in an informal poll conducted by the expedition leaders to determine where to build their winter fort.

This was a rare opportunity for a woman to participate in the political process at the time, and it is a testament to Sacagawea’s importance to the expedition that she was given this voice.

12. She settled in St. Louis, Missouri in 1809

After the expedition’s conclusion, Charbonneau and Sacagawea resided with the Hidatsa for three years before agreeing to William Clark’s proposition to establish themselves in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1809.

They entrusted the education of Jean-Baptiste to Clark, who arranged for the young man’s enrollment at the boarding school of the Saint Louis Academy.

13. She never got any compensation from the expedition

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Sacagawea was not paid for her contributions to the Lewis and Clark expedition, even though she was an essential member of the team. Her husband, Toussaint Charbonneau, was paid in the form of money and land for both of their roles and support during the journey. This was because of Sacagawea’s gender and the social norms of the time.

14. Her likeness featured on a one-dollar coin in 2000 by the U.S Mint

The U.S. Mint issued a brass dollar coin with Sacagawea’s likeness in 2000 to commemorate her illustrious accomplishments. The Susan B. Anthony coin, which had a similar value, was replaced by this one.

However, neither of these $1 coins became very well-known in the United States, and as a result, there are currently very few Sacagawea coins in circulation throughout the nation.

15. Sacagawea is considered the woman with the highest degree of commemoration in American history

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Sacagawea is hailed as one of the most extensively honoured women in American history. Statues of her grace various cities, such as Washington, D.C., and Portland, Oregon.

Her name graces schools, parks, and libraries, and she is prominently displayed on the dollar coin. Furthermore, her life has inspired numerous books, films, and documentaries.

Sacagawea stands out as one of the most well know explorers across the US but there is Hernando de Soto who established himself as a decorated explorer in his own right. To read more about him, click here.