Remembering Sacajawea
Sacajawea is the most celebrated heroine in American history. She has more natural wonders, statues, art renditions and other memorials dedicated in her honor to commemorate her contributions than any other woman in United States history. Artists have spent countless hours depicting this woman, even though no known portrait exists. So what did Sacajawea really look like?
The United States has made efforts to remember Sacajawea. In January 2000, the United States introduced the Sacagawea Golden Dollar, the first new coin of the millennium. The coin shows Sacajawea with her son, Pompey, on her back. This coin replaced the distinguished Susan B. Anthony coin.
The United States Department of Agriculture even named a plant after Sacajawea. The Sakakawea silver buffaloberry is a shrub that has silver-green leaves and red berry-like fruit. They grow from 12 to 16 feet high. The shrub features a sturdy bark, much like the characteristics of Sacajawea.
Montana has beautiful monuments dedicated to Sacajawea. Sacajawea Park is located in the city of Livingston. The park displays a bronze statue of Sacajawea as a teenager on a horse with her son on her back. The park includes information about Sacajawea's contributions and journey through Yellowstone.
Sacajawea Peak is another favorite for adventurous hikers who travel to Bridgers Mountains. Sacajawea led the Corps of Discovery through this area of Bozeman Pass, where you will find another statue proudly displayed.
Beaverhead County, Montana is where Sacajawea was taken from her Shoshone tribe and later reunited with them during the journey with Lewis and Clark. In August 1805, during her reunion with the Shoshone tribe, Sacajawea recognized what would become known as Beaverhead Rock State Park, as this landmark formation resembles a beaver's head emerging from the water. Today, Beaverhead Rock State Park, or what Lewis and Clark named Camp Fortunate, puts on a reenactment of the meeting between Chief Cameahwait and the Corps of Discovery, in order to educate the public about Sacajawea and her contributions to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.