Sacagawea Bird Woman Analysis

From the time of elementary school onward, youth all across America are inspired by an extraordinary tale of a brave expedition through the uncharted wilderness that is now our nation. They learn of two men who risked their homes and well-being for years to trek into the unknown for science and the betterment of the American people; this is the tale of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. However, many kids equally look in fascination to the mysterious native woman who guided the expedition along through the harsh landscape towards the Pacific coast. The English translation of her name is “Bird Woman,” but to millions of people throughout this great land, she is known as Sacagawea. Multitudes of studies have been conducted on the life and times

One of those depictions is located where Barbie grew up in North Dakota. This is the Bird Woman statue created by Leonard Crunelle. This statue, according to Barbie, greatly adheres to the stereotype of regality that is associated with Sacagawea. In the statue, she stands fully upright with steely “concentration or determination” (Barbie 2). She does not look hesitant, nor does she seem to be shying away from what she faces ahead of her. On her back is her child, whom she is holding onto with her hand while still looking onward. Inscribed on the plaque that accompanies the statue is the tribute to “Sakakawea—the Shoshone Indian… who in 1805, guided the Lewis and Clark expedition from the Missouri River to the Yellowstone” (Barbie 2). What is fascinating about the inscription is that, like with Dye’s description of the “Bird Woman,” Sacagawea was a leading force in the expedition. The inscription could have easily said she “helped” or “aided” the duo, but this instead says she took a commanding role and “guided” Lewis and Clark on their journey. Barbie makes the point that she is leading “white men in the wilderness;” a native woman leading white men is unheard of for that time period! This goes to show the regal princess status that this native woman has attributed to her. Undaunted and unabashed, Sacagawea in this depiction leads civilization