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Sacajawea was born in 1790. Despite claims that she lived to an old age on a reservation,{{fact}} there is general agreement that she died of a fever in 1812.{{fact}}

Sacajawea was born in 1790. Despite claims that she lived to an old age on a reservation,{{fact}} there is general agreement that she died of a fever in 1812.{{fact}}

She was the wife of Toussaint Charbonneau, a French-Canadian [[trapper]]. The pair were hired by [[Lewis and Clark]] in 1804 for their epic expedition, largely because of her skills as an explorer and interpreter.  

She was the wife of Toussaint Charbonneau, a French-Canadian [[trapper]]. The pair were hired by [[Lewis and Clark]] in 1804 for their epic expedition, largely because of her skills as an explorer and interpreter.  

Sacajawea was a Shoshone [[Indian]] who had been kidnapped by another tribe, the Hidatsa Indians, around 1802. Two years later, Charbonneau bought her from her captors and took her as his wife, despite the fact that he was already married. She gave birth to her first child in February of 1805. Lewis and Clark regarded this as an advantage to their position, and felt that other Indian tribes would see her as an indication of their intent to be peaceful.

Sacajawea was a Shoshone [[Indian]] who had been kidnapped by another tribe, the Hidatsa Indians, around 1802. The Hidatsa later sold her to the Mandans. Two years later, Charbonneau bought her from her captors and took her as his wife, despite the fact that he was already married. She gave birth to her first child, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau (nicknamed "Pomp"), in February of 1805. Lewis and Clark regarded this as an advantage to their position, and felt that other Indian tribes would see her as an indication of their intent to be peaceful.

As well as her guiding duties, Sacajawea shared her knowledge of the culinary and medicinal properties of roots and berries, and helped save documents and supplies when a canoe capsized in May 1805. She was particularly helpful in the Shoshone Indian territory in August 1805, because of her knowledge of the area, and when she discovered that a group they encountered was led by her brother. She was able to persuade the Shoshones to sell the travelers horses so they could travel over the Rocky Mountains.

As well as her guiding duties, Sacajawea shared her knowledge of the culinary and medicinal properties of roots and berries, and helped save documents and supplies when a canoe capsized in May 1805. She was particularly helpful in the Shoshone Indian territory in August 1805, because of her knowledge of the area, and when she discovered that a group they encountered was led by her brother Cameahwait. She was able to persuade the Shoshones to sell the travelers horses so they could travel over the [[Rocky Mountains]] toward the [[Pacific]].

On the return trip, Sacajawea proved a valuable guide when she remembered trails from her childhood. The most important of these was a pass, known today as Bozeman Pass, [[Montana]], which led through a mountain gap to the [[Yellowstone River]].  

On the return trip, Sacajawea proved a valuable guide when she remembered trails from her childhood. The most important of these was a pass, known today as Bozeman Pass, [[Montana]], which led through a mountain gap to the [[Yellowstone River]].  

Sacagawea’s contribution to the Lewis and Clark expedition was invaluable. <ref>http://reference.aol.com/article/_a/female-explorers/20060221122109990001</ref> <ref> http://lewisandclarktrail.com/sacajawea.htm</ref>

Sacagawea’s contribution to the Lewis and Clark expedition was invaluable. <ref>http://reference.aol.com/article/_a/female-explorers/20060221122109990001</ref> <ref> http://lewisandclarktrail.com/sacajawea.htm</ref>

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Women]]

[[Category:Women]]