Sacagawea

Sacagawea, a Shoshone Indian, was one of the most important communicators on the expedition. Sacagawea’s husband, Toussaint Charbonneau, was hired in October of 1804 as an interpreter, a few months into the expedition. Charbonneau brought Sacagawea, who gave birth during the journey, along with him on the journey. She was a main part in getting Lewis and Clark’s message of peace across to the Indians. She was the one who actually communicated with the tribes using the Indian sign language. The whole translation process started with her. She was not just a communicator, but was also a guide. She helped them find their way to the land of her heritage. It was Sacagawea who helped the expedition get horses and a guide to cross the mountains.

“Sacagawea was sent for; she came into the tent, sat down, and was beginning to interpret, when in the person of Cameahwait she recognized her brother: she instantly jumped up, and ran and embraced him, throwing over him her blanket and weeping profusely.”-Nicholas Biddle’s version of the journals, August 17, 1805

"The sight of This Indian woman...confirmed those people of our friendly intentions as no woman ever accompanies a war party of Indians in this quarter."-Clark wrote this in his journal refering to Sacagawea