The California-Intermountain Region stretches from the Pacific coast of California inland to the Sierra Nevada mountain range and the Great Basin desert (in California, Nevada and Utah). Their culture and traditions were influenced by the great variety of environments that spanned this religion, and despite many obstacles, they still continue to thrive today.
Introduce students to writing, digital storytelling, and 21st century skills through project-based learning. Storyboard That has created resources and lessons to help busy teachers add something new and versatile to the classroom.
In this activity, students will create a biography poster honoring the life and legacy of an indigenous person from the California Intermountain Region. This example is all about Sacagawea!
Storyboard Text
Sacagawea's first childSacagawea was pregnant for part of the journey and gave birth to her son Jean Baptiste Charbonneau in February 1805. He was playfully nicknamed Pomp by Lewis and Clark. Continuing with the journey was extremely difficult with a small child, but Sacagawea persevered.
Early LifeSacagawea was born around 1788 in present-day Idaho. She was the daughter of a Shoshoni chief. Around the age of 12 she was kidnapped by members of the rival Hidatsa nation. They sold her to a French-Canadian fur trapper named Toussaint Charbonneau, and she became his wife.
Sacagawea
1788-1812
Place Person Here
1804: Meeting Lewis and ClarkSacagawea and Charbonneau lived among the Hidatsa in present day North Dakota. Meriweather Lewis and William Clark were exploring the west to find a route to the Pacific Ocean at the behest of President Thomas Jefferson. They hired Charbonneau to serve as an interpreter because he spoke Hidatsa and French. Sacagawea was also brought along to be an interpreter as she spoke Shoshoni and Hidatsa.
Sacagawea's Journey with the "Corps of Discovery"Despite these challenges, Sacagawea proved to be extremely valuable to the Lewis and Clark expedition. She not only served as an interpreter, but also a guide as she knew the land so well. She helped them find their way, find food to eat, and even saved many of their important supplies when a boat they were riding in capsized.
Reuniting with the ShoshoniBecause the expedition badly needed horses to continue on their journey, Sacagawea led the men to her family, the Shoshoni people. She was happily reunited with her family for a short time. They traded supplies and a medallion from Thomas Jefferson for the horses needed to continue on their journey. Sacagawea continued with the Corps of Discovery on their mission.
Reaching the PacificThe group reached the Pacific Ocean in November 1805 after traveling over 2,000 miles by horse, boat, and foot. Sacagawea's husband was paid well and given land for his help. Despite her crucial service, Sacagawea was given nothing. She died in 1812 shortly after giving birth to her second child, Lisette. Today there are parks, monuments, and a gold coin dedicated to her legacy. She is the first Native American woman to have her own statue in the U.S. Capitol.