Pomp (Shoshoni for “First Born”)
by Pamela Harr
Wife of Toussaint Charbonneau, sixteen-year-old Sacagawea (meaning Bird Woman) was a key figure in the success of the Lewis & Clark Expedition across the Northwest Territories of the United States, 1804-1806. She helped to procure horses from her Shoshoni brother before the explorers crossed the Rockies. She knew how to find food when supplies were low. When the pirogue carrying Sacagawea, Lewis, and others swamped and nearly capsized in an April squall on the Missouri River near present day Van Hook, North Dakota, Sacagawea’s fast thinking saved the compass and other indispensable equipment from washing overboard. Having a woman in their company signified to the Native Americans that the expedition was not a war party.
Pomp grew up to become Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, an explorer, fur trapper, guide, and gold miner. He died of pneumonia at age 61 and was buried in Danner, Oregon. History is not clear as to what became of Sacagawea. Although records show that one of Charbonneau’s wives died in 1812 at Fort Manuel, near Kenel, South Dakota, many believe that Sacagawea returned to her Shoshoni people and lived a long life.
14″ x 6″ x 5″
Limited Edition of 100
$1,800