One of the most notable women in American History may well be Sakakawea. A Shoshoni Indian girl named Sakakawea, acted as an interpreter while traveling with the Corps of Discovery on their way to and from the Pacific Ocean. As the Corps headed west, they followed the Missouri River and passed through here. Sakakawea and her husband, Toussaint Charbonneau, joined the group near present-day Washburn, North Dakota.
Historians theorize that she passed away in December 1812 near present day Kenel, South Dakota, at Fort Manuel Lisa (a trade fort). She was in her early twenties and died of a "putrid fever." In her short life she played an important role in our history.
Journal entry
"...Capt. Clark our Intrepter & wife walked on Shore and found a great nomber of fine berrys which is called Servis berrys. Our Ints. Wife gethered a pale full & gave them to the Party at noon..."
Joseph Whitehouse
August 16, 1805
Picture Caption
In this mural by Oscar Howe, Sakakawea is shown carrying her infant son, Jean-Baptiste , in a cradleboard. Jean-Baptiste was born on February 11, 1805 and traveled with the expedition.
Oscar Howe, a Sioux artist, grew up on the Crow Creek Reservation in central South Dakota. This painting (right) is one of ten murals that were completed
by Howe in the 1940s and are located in the Scherr-Howe Arena in Mobridge.
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