How did they meet Sacagawea?

In effect, Sacagawea and Charbonneau would become an intepreter team. As Clark explained in his journals, Charbonneau was hired “as an interpreter through his wife.” If and when the expedition met the Shoshones, Sacagawea would talk with them, then translate to Hidatsa for Charbonneau, who would translate to French. read more

When the Expedition did meet the Shoshone, Sacagawea helped the Corps communicate, translating along with her husband. As the Corps traveled eastward in 1806, returning to St. Louis, they stopped again at the Mandan and Hidatsa villages. There Sacagawea and her family ended their journey. read more

When Lewis and Clark wintered at the present site of Bismarck, North Dakota, there they met Sacagawea and her husband in 1804. Toussaint Charbonneau was interviewed to interpret Hidatsa for the Lewis and Clark expedition, but Lewis and Clark (esp. Clark) were not overly impressed with him. read more