Key Information
Sacagawea
| Type | Native American Guide |
| Born | May 1788 – Lemhi River Valley, near Salmon, Idaho, United States |
| Died | December 20, 1812 (or 1870) – Kenel, South Dakota (or Wyoming), United States |
| Known For | Assisting on Lewis and Clark Expedition |
Learning Point
- Sacagawea was an incredible Shoshone woman who, as a teenager, played a crucial role in the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition. While she is often remembered as the “guide,” her contributions were much more than just showing them the way. Sacagawea, who traveled with her newborn baby on her back, was a valuable interpreter, helping the explorers communicate with different Native American tribes. Her presence as a woman and a mother also signaled peaceful intentions to the tribes they encountered. She was a master at finding edible plants and navigating the wilderness, making her an essential part of the team that explored the vast, unknown American West.
Project
- Draw a picture of Sacagawea leading the expedition across the American wilderness.
- Overview
Location
| Location in | Salmon, Idaho, United States |
Fun Facts
- Sacagawea was a teenager, only about 17 years old, when she joined the Lewis and Clark Expedition with her newborn baby strapped to her back.
- Once, when a boat tipped over, she stayed calm and saved important books, papers, and tools from floating away—including the expedition’s valuable journals!
- She had an incredible reunion during the journey when she found out the chief of a Shoshone tribe they met was actually her long-lost brother!
- Sacagawea is on a U.S. dollar coin, and there are more statues of her in the United States than of any other American woman.
Past Lessons
| 180 | September 24, 2025 | (North America) |