Sacagawea, a Shoshone woman, helped guide and support the Lewis and Clark Expedition across western North America.
Sacagawea joined the expedition in 1805 with her husband, Toussaint Charbonneau, and their infant son, Jean Baptiste. Her knowledge of languages, geography, plants and local customs helped the Corps of Discovery communicate and travel through territory unfamiliar to its American leaders.
Sacagawea was not the expedition's sole guide, and the popular image of her leading every stage oversimplifies her role. Charbonneau served as an interpreter, while many Indigenous communities provided information, food, horses and assistance. Sacagawea's presence also signaled peaceful intentions to some groups because the expedition was traveling with a woman and child. The expedition returned to St. Louis in September 1806.