One of the most interesting stories of the Lewis and Clark expedition was their encounter with the Indian guide Sacajawea. Sacajawea's actions during the expedition's trip between the Dakotas and the Pacific, and then back, have secured for her a place of legend in US history (and on the new American dollar), and went far toward changing American views about women and Native Americans. Along the journey, Lewis and Clark learned of the hardships which Sacajawea had been made to endure as a Shoshone Indian girl. She had been beaten, forced to do heavy labor, and kidnapped from her home. Charbonneau had won her hand in marriage in a game of chance. Despite this rough upbringing, and repeated physical abuse from Charbonneau, Sacajawea brought a spirit of perseverance to the expedition, proving to all that a woman could to the hard work of a man while maintaining the compassion and nurturing spirit most often attributed to women. She thus won a place of special honor in Lewis and Clark's minds and hearts, and her legend has won a place of special honor in American history.

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