Bird Woman: Sacagawea's Own Story [Paperback]

James Willard Schultz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1999

In the last quarter of the 19th century Montana author James Willard Schultz listened to nightly storytelling in the lodges of the Blackfoot Indians. Among the storytellers was Earth Woman, aka Mrs. James Kipp and the daughter of Four Bears, Chief of the Mandans during the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Earth Woman repeated stories she had heard as a girl in her father's lodge told by Bird Woman - tales of traveling with two white chiefs to the "Everywhere Salt Water." Here then is Sacagawea's own story, passed down to us in the tradition of Native American oral history through the writing of one of the early West's greatest storytellers and reprinted for the first time since 1918. Here you will meet Sacagawea, a woman of intelligence, courage and determination who proved to be crucial to the survival and success of the Corps of Discovery, the greatest expedition in the history of the United States.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

For many years following the Lewis and Clark expedition, Sacagawea was duly thought of as a heroine and even, by many, as the true guide of the Corps of Discovery. Much art and literature was composed to laud her spirit of adventure, her courage and her leadership role in the expedition. Familiar nineteenth century statues, for example, show her with right arm held up, finger pointed, guiding the explorers westward. Historical research has since demonstrated that, indeed, she did not lead the Corps or serve as key guide, but rather played a vital role in its survival and, in one instance the survival of its records.

From the Back Cover

As a child in the early 1800s, Earth Woman listened to nightly storytelling within the warm glow of the lodge of her father-- Four Bears, chief of the Mandans and friend of Chiefs Long Knife and Red Hair, also known as Captains Lewis and Clark. One of the storytellers was a young woman who, with her husband and infant child, had traveled with the two white chiefs to the land of the Everywhere Salt Water. She was called Bird Woman .. also Grass Woman, Lost Woman, Led-the-First-Big-Knives Woman, and ... Sacagawea. This is her story, as retold in the lodges of the Blackfeet by Earth Woman, aka Mrs. James Kipp, and Hugh Monroe, aka Rising Wolf, to fronteirsman and author James Willard Schultz.

Here then is Sacagwea's own story, passed down to us in the tradition of Native American oral history through the writing of one of the early West's greatest storytellers. Here you will meet Sacagawea, a woman of intelligence, courage and determination, who on occasion proved to be crucial to the survival and success of the Corps of Discovery, the greatest expedition in the history of the United States.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 143 pages
• Publisher: Mountain Meadow Pr (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0945519230
• ISBN-13: 978-0945519232
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,185,888 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars James Willard Schultz books are great, January 8, 2012

By 

Carl C. Hansen "wood worker" (Wash, DC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bird Woman: Sacagawea's Own Story (Paperback)

All of James Willard Shcultz's are a must have for anyone wanting the know about the true lives of indians in Montana at the turn of the century while they still lived somewhat nomadic lives. Purchased to give as a gift to share the pleasure with friends.