Re-enactor tells Lewis, Clark story at library program

Through folklorist Diane Moran's acting ability, Sacagawea appeared at the Cape Girardeau Public Library on Saturday to a crowd of about 50 interested in the story of the historical figure's life. The story unfolded as she transformed into a woman who takes on the challenge of journeying with Merriwether Lewis and William Clark through uncharted territory to find a passageway to the Pacific Ocean.

The program, free and open to the public, was provided by a grant from the Missouri Humanities Council and the Friends of the Cape Girardeau Public Library Foundation.

Moran has worked with children and wildlife for 35 years as naturalist/storyteller. She lives in the Missouri Ozarks, where she owns Earth Ways Farm, an environmental camp focusing on animal contact and teaching through experience. She portrays other historical characters, too, creating all her own artifacts. She said her great love of nature and a fascination with the past has led her to this career.

Abducted by another tribe

Moran began by taking on the persona of an 11-year-old Shoshone Indian girl. The audience was transported back to a time when living in the wilderness was not a choice. Beginning at the fork of three rivers and working with other young women, laughing and having a good time while picking berries, the scene turned to one of abduction. Swooped up by a warrior of the Hidatsa/Minitari tribe, Sacagawea journeyed to a lodge where she soon is accepted. Well-fed and cared for, she eventually accepted them as her own.

She told of the major change in the Indian village when white people arrived in boats to tell the Indians of their new white father, President Thomas Jefferson, who wanted to grant them peace if they traded with the Americans. When the whites discovered she spoke Shoshone, her valuable skill caused them to ask her to accompany them on their journey.

At 15 winters, Sacagawea became the second wife of Charbonneau, later to bear his child, Jean-Baptiste, while on the journey with the Corps of Discovery.

The presentation concluded with a question-and-answer period giving details of the latter part of Sacagawea's life. Her son was entrusted to Clark's care, receiving a fine education. She gave birth to a daughter named Lisette. It is believed by the historical community that Sacagawea died shortly after she her daughter was born, around age 25. Her recorded date of death is Dec. 20, 1812.

An opposing view exists that Sacagawea lived to be almost 100 among the Shoshones.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133