Sacagawea of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

by Ella Elizabeth Clark, Margot Edmonds

The legend tells us of Sacagawea ("Bird Woman") as the guide showing Lewis and Clark the way over the Rockies to the Pacific Ocean, and fictionalized accounts have embroidered on her life as it might have been. In fact, however, her life as it might have been. In fact, however, the young Indian woman who accompanied the expedition did not serve as a guide--though her presence with her child probably ensured the expedition's safety by signifying to the tribes whose territories were crossed that it was not a raiding or war party. This carefully researched historical account separates the verifiable facts about Sacagawea from the extensive legend. It provides a readable, credible account of Sacagawea coping with the incredible hazards of the journey, caring fo her child, dealing with her half-breed husband, and aiding the expedition with her survival knowledge, pluck, and constancy. The authors have unearthed new documentary evidence which enables them to trace Sacagawea's later life until her death, and to locate her burial spot. They also tell how the Sacagawea legend was deliberately created, and show how it became so widely accepted. Nontheless, this is not a "debunking" study. Sacagawea, seen in the light of accurate history rather than legend, remains an intriguing and inspiring figure in our past.

Genres: History, Native American, Biography, Native Americans, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Ella Elizabeth Clark was born at Summertown, Tennessee in 1896. After attending high school in Peoria, Illinois in 1917 she became a high school teacher though she did not receive her B.A. from Northwestern University until 1921. Miss Clark continued to teach high school English and dramatics until 1927 when she received her M.A. from Northwestern and began teaching at Washington State University. From 1927 to 1961, when she retired from the English faculty as professor emeritus, she taught both beginning and advanced writing and literature courses and wrote on such diverse subjects as Indian mythology, botany, and firefighting in our national forests.

In 1933, in collaboration with fellow faculty member Paul P. Kies, she wrote a writer's manual and workbook which was soon followed by an annotated anthology of poetry which she authored alone. It was also in the 1930's that Miss Clark began her travels in Canada, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest in search of the varied myths and legends of the North American Indian which were dying in the wake of the new urbantechnological age. She continued this work into the next decade while continuing to be an active teacher and member of several professional, campus, and local history associations. The Second World War involved Miss Clark as a fire lookout for the United States Forest Service in the Cascades for several summers. This new experience provided her with rich materials for publication on the varied flora of the Cascades and attempts to prevent fire from destroying this natural heritage.

However, the major core of Miss Clark's work continued to be the diverse legends of the Indian. Her findings were published in Indian Legends of the Pacific Northwest (1953), Indian Legends of Canada (1960), and Indian Legends From the Northern Rockies (1966). This scholarly interest in mythology flowed over into a general concern for the well-being and future of the American Indian which is apparent not only in her published works but in her personal correspondence.

(from http://ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu/masc...)

Reviews

[L.G. Cullens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a reread. I've had this book since the 1980s and had forgotten some of the details. I was also interested in some of the other paths Sacagawea had crossed in her latter life [there are many other intersecting details in the book]. It was slow reading this second time because it is a print book with small type that is hard on these old eyes.

I found again as the blurb notes, "Sacagawea, seen in the light of accurate history rather than legend, remains an intriguing and inspiring figure in our past."

This book is divided into two sections, the first regarding the Lewis and Clark Expedition and Sacagawea's involvement, and the second is of her life after the Expedition. Information sources and inconsistencies are amply noted.

Sacagawea's roles in the Lewis and Clark Expedition are the stuff of which myths are made. In truth though, the legends obscure the person and the real contributions Sacagawea made to the first scientific exploration of the American West through territory unexplored by Western culture. With her infant son strapped to her back, as a member of the main party from April 7, 1805 until August 14, 1806 she was a valuable asset sharing the explorer's hardships and helping them survive.

The second part of the book deals mostly with Sacagawea's life after the Expedition until her passing in 1884. Yes, she lived an interesting life to a ripe old age. It also deals with others' involvement.

The author, Ella Elizabeth Clark, is well known to me, being the most prolific and accurate chronicler of Native American legends that I know of. Ella Elizabeth Clark (January 8, 1896 – July 9, 1984) was an American educator, author, and Professor Emerita of English. Although Clark was not a trained anthropologist or folklorist, she collected large numbers of American Indian and First Nations oral traditions and made them available to a wide readership.

Regardless of what other stories/accounts about Sacagawea you may have read, I recommend reading this book to learn what a truly interesting and courageous person this woman really was.

PS: I may be a bit biased, having close ties to the Lemhi Shoshone people in my early years :-)

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book set out to establish 2 facts. 1. Sakajewea was NOT A GUIDE for the LC Expedition. Stated too often to mention. However, it did say that she twice she suggested routes that the explorers chose to take. Sometimes guide? However, they highly praised her contributions, and added some facts I haven't read elsewhere. 2. Sakagawea did not die in 1812 as indicated in Clark's documents. Totally established. Again, she was highly praised for many of her fine attributes. Writing style is academic. A good read.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

An telling of Sacagawea's life based on the existing written record and interviews with people who knew her, in response to the many embroidered and inaccurate stories in books and taught to school children before this book was written (they haven't disappeared, of course). It made me want to read the journals of Lewis and Clark.

[William Carlisle · Rating 2 out of 5]

The 1st part of the book was interesting enough with good references. The 2nd part was not good - Just a non-stop ramble about the inaccuracies of previous historians on Sacagawea, very dry and irritating.

[Ellyn Erickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked learning more details, and was interested in how the author found these details. It was also good to read about more of the journey, and what happened afterwards.

[Ava •°✧• · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of information. L.O.T.S.

[RP Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stark portrait but I knew what I was getting into when opening this book. I always wonder about the veil of exaggeration in front of historical figures and their true influences. Sacagawea (one of her many, many, many names) was not exactly who the history books make her out to be but she was close. The first half of this book is the long detailed account of Lewis and Clarks expedition. Taken from the journals of both men. Sacagawea's involvement is noted sparsely but with great appreciation and gratitude. More than once she deterred the expedition from peril.

It's not until the journey of Lewis and Clark meets it's end that our author really gets into the facts of who this Shoshone woman really was. The essays and letters included in this volume from her friends and great, great, great grandchildren made for an informative and delightful read.

I learned a lot here but nothing really shocked me more than to find out the exploration of the other half of our country was fueled by dog and horse meat. Sacagawea adamantly refused to eat these animals but it is what kept the rest of the pioneers alive. That's something they don't tell you in school!

[Megan Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It read a little like a college thesis or a collection of essays (especially the second half), but it was interesting enough to keep my attention. Good information debunking the myth that Sacagawea, while certainly helpful on the journey, was not the sole reason for its success.

4/5 on here, 8/10 for myself

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great book for fleshing out the facts from legend. It is written in an interesting manner.

[Summer Rhiann Theis · Rating 1 out of 5]

it was borng