[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 14446-14447]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           DEATH OF SACAGAWEA

 Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. President, I wish to speak 
today to commemorate the life of Sacagawea and the impacts her life has 
had on the development of our great Nation. While there is some 
controversy regarding the death of Sacagawea, most research indicates 
that this year marks the 200th anniversary of her reported death in 
present day South Dakota.
  Sacagawea is historically most famous for guiding Captains Meriwether 
Lewis and William Clark, along with her husband and infant son, on U.S. 
President Thomas Jefferson's Corps of Northwestern Discovery expedition 
to the Pacific Coast and back from 1804 to 1806.
  Sacagawea, the daughter of a Shoshone chief, was born around 1788 in 
present-day Idaho. At a young age, she was captured by the enemies of 
the Shoshones, the Hidatsa, and sold to a French-Canadian trapper named 
Toussaint Charbonneau. Charbonneau married Sacagawea and the two lived 
among the Mandan and Hidatsa tribes of the upper Missouri river in 
present-day North Dakota. When Lewis and Clark came to the area on 
their journey in November of 1804, they commissioned Charbonneau and 
Sacagawea, who was with child, to serve as interpreters. With the help 
and knowledge of Sacagawea, the Lewis and Clark expedition reached the 
Pacific Ocean in November of 1805.
  It was reported that Sacagawea died on December 20, 1812, at Fort 
Manuel Lisa, which overlooked the Missouri River near the present-day 
city of Kenel, in Corson County, SD. John Luttig, the trading post's 
clerk, wrote: ``This evening the wife of Charbonneau, a Snake Woman, 
died of a putrid fever. Aged about 25 years. She left an infant girl.''
  Though Sacagawea had a short and difficult life, her legacy still 
lives on. The celebration of her life also gives us a great opportunity 
to recognize the rich culture and heritage of our Native American 
tribes. As we bear in mind her life, death, and impact, I encourage 
everyone to join in also commemorating the unique culture of the 
indigenous peoples of the United States.
  Later this month, the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation will 
be holding their regional meeting in Fort Pierre, SD. The South Dakota 
Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Encounters on

[[Page 14447]]

the Prairie, will be hosting this regional meeting which will be 
commemorating the 200th anniversary of Sacagawea's reported death. I am 
proud to speak about the rich piece of our Nation's history she was a 
part of. Her memory and the heritage in which she embodies, continues 
to inspire us in South Dakota and across the Nation.
 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 200th 
Anniversary of the reported death of Sacagawea within the borders of 
what is now South Dakota. At this time I would like to commemorate her 
for her contributions to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
  Sacagawea accompanied Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on the 
Northwestern Discovery Expedition to the Pacific Coast for the U.S. 
President Thomas Jefferson's Corps. In recognition of her service and 
bravery, the Central South Dakota Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail 
Heritage Foundation, known as Keepers of the Story, Stewards of the 
Trail, are hosting a regional meeting September 28, 29, and 30, 2012. 
The meeting will be open to the public in the cities of Fort Pierre, 
Pierre, Mobridge, and Kenel, SD. To help commemorate the bicentennial 
of the reported death of Sacagawea, the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage 
Foundation will travel to Fort Manuel Lisa.
  The story of Sacagawea, while short, is one of great success and 
worthy of remembrance. Her guidance and interpretation were vital to 
Lewis and Clark's journey. I hope my fellow colleagues will help me 
commemorate the 200th anniversary of the reported death of Sacagawea by 
recognizing her sacrifice and efforts.

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