Ifetayo Miller Miami Rahaman 8~2

1. Sacagawea The Bird Woman Ifetayo Miller Miami Rahaman 8~2

2. Early Life Because Sacagawea lived so long ago, much information is not known about her. Furthermore, the information that is known about her may not be accurate since recordings come from different sources and different time periods. Sacagawea is thought to have been born in what is now called Idaho in the late 1780’s. Her parents and the number of siblings she has had is not known, but it is known that she had a brother named Camehwait. When she was about 12, she was kidnapped by a group called the Hidatsa and when she turned 13, was married to a man named Toussaint Charbonneau. She was pregnant when she met Lewis and Clark and was chosen to be a translator and negotiator when she was interviewed as a captive.

3. What Makes Her A Leader? When confronted with a task that would change her life, Sacagawea did not hesitate to take control of the situation. Although Sacagawea was only 15 when she became an interpreter and negotiator for Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their expedition from 1804-1806, she knew that it was her job to lead them. It was as if she knew that anything stopping her was not an option. Not much is known about her family or children later in life because not much was documented during her lifetime. Since there is not much written about this notable woman, the date of her death is not specified. However, we know that she died of a putrid fever and was buried somewhere on Standing Rock Indian Reservation. She died either December 20 1812, the more official date, or April 19 1812, the date told through Native American tales. Regardless, of her death, Sacagawea took control of the Lewis and Clark exploration as a fearless leader and for that she is without a doubt, a notable woman.

4. Sacagawea Calls the Shots Although very young when the expedition took place, Sacagawea was able to assess her situation and make the necessary moves. Other people would not have been able to do the same. Sacagawea should be admired for her courage and wit. She used knowledge that she acquired from growing up in order to guide Lewis and Clark on their journey. Without her guiding the expedition, it would not have been successful and then the U.S. may not have been developed. Because the Louis and Clark expedition purpose was to explore the west, the western expansion may not heave been made. Therefore, Sacagawea’s contribution to the Lewis and Clark expedition was crucial to the success of the U.S. Sacagawea was young; however, she was not naïve and knew when she had to buckle down and take control.

5. Citations • "Sacagawea." Wikipedia. 2009. Wikipedia.org. 03.27.09 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacagawea>.  • "Sacagawea Biography." Essortment. 2002. Essortment.com. 03.27.09 <http://www.essortment.com/all/biographysacaga_rcqc.htm>.  • Marks, Lara. "Sacagawea." 1998. 4/2/09 http://www.mathcs.bethel.edu/~gossett/DiscreteMathWithProof/sacajawea/sacajawea.html 4. Moulton, Gary E. "Sacagawea." World Book Online Reference Center. 2009. [Place of access.]  2 April 2009 <http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Article?id=ar480840>.