Sacagawea

My name is Sacagawea. Meriwether Louis and William Clark invited me to go on an expedition with them and some other white men after hiring my husband as an interpreter. They tried to express to me the importance of my being there. They said I was a big help and they thanked me.

I entered the expedition at Fort Mandan where my husband Charbonneau, was hired as an interpreter. He was a very abusive husband. Many times, he slapped me for doing something good. It was common that he would slap me across the face whenever he became jealous of me.

It came to be that my relationship with the Shoshone chief was helpful in negotiating with the Shoshone tribe in helping the corpse of discovery get horses to travel. The Shoshone people wanted to trade their horses for our guns. Therefore, I had to assure my brother, the chief, that we would send them some later.

During the entire journey, I had to carry my beautiful son Jean-Baptiste on my back. This was no easy task because he was a big boy and Charbonneau, my husband, was no help. My son was born February 11, 1805 and the expedition left April 7, 1805,

Leaving him less than 2 months old.

One time we were on the river and the boat tipped after a strong wind came up. I saved many things such as medicine, journals and other valuable items after they washed out of the boat. They assured me that this was good and thanked me greatly. It was funny though because both Captain Louis and Captain Clark were at shore when the boat capsized.

When we were coming back home and the expedition passed through my homeland, they told me I was a worthy guide. This was because I could still remember trails from my childhood. Captain Clark praised me as his "pilot"*. When I left the corps in August 1805, I received nothing but my husband, Charbonneau, gained $500.33 and 323 acres of land.

Over all I think my contributions to the corps of discovery was great. After all I: Negotiated to get horses, saved important items when the boat capsized, and lightened up the crew. Captain Louis and Captain Clark said I was a big help and they thanked me. Looking back, I remember seeing the beauty of the Pacific Ocean. Right now, I cannot imagine how much I affected America. I cannot believe I made that much of a contribution to America.

* www.pbs.org

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