This documentary is available through You Tube. It presents the life of Sacagawea mostly in the first person. The actress portraying her tells the story. Sacagawea was born to the Shoshone people. When she was a young woman, about twelve, her village at Three Forks on the Snake River (documentary says Snake River, but Three Forks is on the Missouri River headwaters. )was attacked by a raiding party of the Hidatsu. The Hidatsu had rifles so the Shoshone were overwhelmed and Sacagawea was taken captive. She was moved from Western Montana to North Dakota and a new way of life where lodgings that were called earth lodges--logs with earth piled against them. She was taken into the tribe as a full member. When she was 16 she was sold to Toussaint Charbonneau, a French trader who took her for a plural wife.
The Corp of Discovery passed through their village headed west to explore. They were looking for a northwest passage to the Pacific Ocean. They were headed by Captain Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Clark was the first person with red hair Sacagawea had ever seen. Lewis documented species and wrote extensively. Clark was more into making maps of their journeys. Clark is accompanied by his slave or servant, York, of African American descent. They built a fort in which to winter.
Sacagawea's baby, Jean Baptiste or "Pomp" was born in February. She and her husband had been moved to the fort as they were to become part of the group. Sacagawea would leave with the Corp of Discovery as her husband had been hired as an interpreter. Sacagawea would prove a valuable member of the group. When they met Native American groups, having a woman and child with the group reassured the natives that they were peaceful. At one point her husband allowed some important papers to escape the canoe. Sacagawea was able to rescue most of them. Also Sacagawea was valuable in helping them find the Shoshone; and it happened the chief was her brother. They were able to trade for horses.
With horses they were able to travel over mountain passes until the met the Nez Perce. There they were able to leave their horses, and travel in dugout canoes down the Snake to the Columbia River and there to the ocean. Here they must decide where to winter. It is put to a vote. The voting includes Sacagawea and York, the first time a woman and an African American are allowed to have an equal say. The build Fort Clatsop south of the river where there is more game for food.
Upon the return trip they visit the Nez Perce and their horses are returned to them. Sacagawea is useful on the return trip. They split into two groups. Sacagawea travels with Captain Clark. She is able to remember a mountain pass from her youth, which they use to return to the Shoshone tribe. Charbonneau and Sacajawea leae the company when they return to their village.
Sacagawea had another child, a daughter named Lizette. Officially Sacagawea died young in 1812 and her children were adopted by Clark. Sacagawea has been the subject of a many statues (more than any other woman in the U.S.) a coin, and a stamp. Three mountains were named after her and two lakes.
Sacagawea is portrayed by Melisa King.
Writer and director is Rolf Forsberg. Production Company Encounter Video, July 12, 2003. I watched this on Youtube.
IMD has a review saying there are numerous iaccuracies, especially with costumes.
I say officially she died in 1812. However others say she returned to the Shoshone in Wyoming and died as an old woman and is buried there. My father took us to see her grave when we were vacationing in Wyoming.
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