Bronze by Susan Kliewer, "Sacajawea"

Bronze

Edition of 45

21" x 12" x 7"

There has long been a fascination with the Indian woman Sacajawea who served as teacher, guide and protector to Lewis and Clark on their famous expedition to find the Pacific Ocean. She serves as a symbol for the calm strength of womankind. Her husband, Toussaint Charbonneau (a French-Canadian fur trader) was hired by the expedition as translator. However, it was Sacajawea who taught Lewis sign language and enough Shoshoni to help him speak with Indians. She led the way at several crucial points in the expedition. Her very presence protected them from unfriendly Indians and she was able to not only communicate with, but competently negotiate with the tribes along their journey for needed supplies and safe passage. The rest of her life is a mystery, with one version that she died at 25 and Captain Clark adopted her two children. In another story told by the Shoshoni, she wandered the West for years after the expedition, eventually returning to her tribe on the Wind River reservation and lived one hundred years. 

1071-11