Sacajawea

Salmon, ID is the homeland of the Agai Dika tribe of Sacajawea, the famous woman who carried her baby on the Lewis & Clark journey. As a teen, she had been kidnapped by the Hidatsa tribe and then sold to French Canadian Charbonneau, who was hired by Lewis for interpreter services. The journey brought her back to her homeland where she was reunited with her brother who had become chief. Her role became key in the survival and success of their mission, because of the aid and horses received from the tribe as a result of her presence and negotiations. 

At the Sacajawea Center in Salmon there was an explanatory sign by this teepee. I was fascinated to read about the structure and meanings to family relationship. Hopefully my notes are accurate. The circle represents the Creator, no beginning or end. Two back poles for the man, backbone of the family. Two front poles for woman, the doorway of mankind. They are bound together (like the poles) by marriage. Back poles by the father represent sons within the dad's arms, front poles by the mother are the daughters within her arms. All are lashed to the center pole, the Creator's pole. The protective flaps are held by the grandparents poles, the protectors of the family. What a beautiful picture!