WHO WAS SHE?
SACAGAWEA
DATE OF BIRTH: May 1788
DATE OF DEATH: December 20, 1812
KNOWN FOR: Accompany on the Lewis and Clark expedition
SPOUSE: Toussaint Charbonneau.
CHILDREN: Jean Baptiste Charbonneau & Lisette Charbonneau.
Sacajawea was born sometime during 1786 in a territory located in today's Idaho. The exact date of her birth is unknown. Her name means "bird woman". She was a Shoshoni (also spelled as Shoshone). The Shoshoni were a large native group that ranged from Southeastern California across central Eastern Nevada, Northwestern Utah into Southern Idaho, and Western Wyoming.
All Shoshoni spoke a similar language.
She lived in her Rocky Mountain homeland the first 12 years of her life, up until she was kidnapped from her Shoshone people by an enemy tribe, the Hidastas. She was alone with other women and children from her tribe when they were attacked by their enemy tribe, the Hidatsa. As Sacagawea tried to escape this attack by trying to hide in a nearby stream, she was captured. The Hidatsas kept Sacagawea as a slave, although she did not receive much abuse. When Sacagawea was twelve to thirteen years old, a French Canadian fur trader and trapper got possession of her. His name was Toussaint Charbonneau. He earned possession of Sacagawea by either trading, or he won her in a game of cards. Toussaint lived amongst the Hidatsa which he could communicate by sign language. This man-made Sacagawea his wife although he was already married to another woman. Sacagawea and Toussaint did not marry by a formal ceremony, but lived together and had children. Many trappers considered Indian wives highly desirable. During this time an expedition to explore the Louisiana Territory was being formed by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. When the Lewis and Clark expedition passed through the Hidatsa-Mandan village, the expedition was forced to camp and build a fort near the Mandan village because of the harsh winter that lay ahead. The fort was called Fort Mandan. Charbonneau and Sacajawea were hired as interpreters to travel with the expedition once they weathered had cleared.
FAMILY:
HUSBAND:
(Toussaint Charbonneau)
-Born on March 20, 1767. In Boucherville, Canada.
-Died on August 12, 1843, of a stabbing by an old Gaultier woman
-He was a French-Canadian explorer, trader, and a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He is also known as the husband of Sacagawea.
-He spoke Charbonneau could speak only Hidatsa and French
-How did he help: He was helpful when the expedition encountered French trappers from Canada, and he served as a cook and he helped translate for Lewis and Clark
SON:
(Jean Baptiste Charbonneau)
-Son of Sacagawea and Toussaint Charbonneau.
-Born on February 11, 1805. At Fort Mandan in North Dakota.
-Died on May 16, 1866, of pneumonia.
-He was: An American explorer, guide, fur trapper trader, military scout during the Mexican - American war, mayor of Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, and a hotel operator in Northern CA.
-He spoke French, English, German, Shoshone, Spanish, and other western American Indian Languages.
-Nicknamed by Clark as Pomp.
-Clark paid for his education.
BROTHER:
(Cameahwait)
-Brother of Sacagawea
-Shoshone chief
-Accompanied Lewis across the Lemhi Pass to meet Clark.
-Killed during a Battle
-Buried on a butte between the towns of Lemhi and Tendoy, Idaho.
DAUGTHER:
(Lizette Charbonneau)
-Daughter of Sacagawea and Toussaint Charbonneau.
-Sister of Jean Baptiste Charbonneau.
-Born sometime after 1810.
-Survived an Indian attack on Fort Lisa.
-Died at age 2.
(THERE IS NOT A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT HER.
