The Bird Woman

In the spring a few men were sent back with reports for President Jefferson. The others continued their trip up the Missouri River, but now, they had a guide that would help them in their exploration. This was a young Native American woman named Sacagawea which is a Native American word that means Bird Woman. Her French husband, Charbonneau, and small baby also traveled with the group. Sacajawea had once lived in the Rocky Mountain area, and she knew the land very well. She also knew the languages of some of the Native American tribes in the area. She was an excellent guide.

Sacajawea had been stolen from the Shoshone Native Americans years before. She was eager to return to her homeland to see her people.

She led the men over miles and miles of rough country. Sacajawea found many of her old friends again during the trip. Because of her, the Native Americans sold to Lewis and Clark the horses and supplies they would need. Miraculously, the expedition met with the Shoshone tribe where Sacagawea’s brother was the chief! They bartered for horses with her brother, Cameahwait. It would’ve been impossible to go over the Rocky Mountains without horses. Shoshones had never had sugar. Cameahwait loved sugar, so he gave them his horses!