Burial Register on File at Roberts Mission Pages 114-115 Day: 1884 · Date: April 9 · No.: 10 · Names: Bazil's Mother (Shoshone) · Age BCC: 100 · Residence: Shoshone Agency · Cause of Death: Old Age · Place of Burial: Burial ground Shoshone Agency · Signature of Clergyman: J. Roberts
This sculpture represents a truly remarkable young Lemhi Shoshone woman who has just made a journey of 3000 miles with the Lewis and Clark Expedition and is viewing the Pacific Ocean. The sand dollar is significant, as it was given to Chief Washakie. He wore it with honor in many historical pictures.
Sacajawea, the quiet 16 year-old mother, became an invaluable member of the Expedition because of her knowledge of the Shoshone homeland they would pass through. One of her most important contributions to Lewis and Clark was to reassure them that they were indeed on the route to the westward passage to the "Great Waters."
Her life after the Expedition is controversial. Her son, Jean Baptiste was adopted and educated by Captain Clark. Her adopted son, Bazil, remained in the Northern Shoshone areas. In later years Sacajawea returned to the Shoshone homeland to live near Bazil. Many recorded documents and statements made by descendants, officials at Fort Washakie, and by the Federal Government record her death
and burial place at the Sacajawea Cemetery, Fort Washakie, Wyoming in 1884.
Comments 0 comments