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Is Fort Washakie, Wyoming, the resting place of Sacajawea — the famed Shoshone guide who helped lead the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
The Sacajawea Controversy
The controversy surrounding the death of Sacajawea began in the early 20th century. She was thought to have died in 1812 of an unknown illness, but research through Shoshone oral tradition, by suffragette Dr. Grace Raymond Hebard (1861–1936), opened a new chapter in Sacajawea’s life with many unanswered questions.
The Sacajawea Cemetery — located within the Wind River Indian Reservation at Fort Washakie — lays claim to the remains of Sacajawea. A woman named Porivo, around the age of 100, died on the reservation on April 9, 1884. Reverend John Roberts officiated at her funeral, and in 1907, he confirmed the woman was Sacajawea.
In 1925, Dr. Charles Eastman (1858–1939) conducted interviews with members of several Native American tribes. Interviewees claimed she spoke of a long journey in which she helped white men, and that she had a Jefferson peace medal — carried by members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Because of these findings, Eastman concluded that Porivo was in fact Sacajawea, and a new gravestone was erected.
A memorial to Sacajawea’s son, Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau, sits to the left. It incorrectly states that he died on the reservation in 1885 — he actually died in 1866 and was buried in Oregon.
To the right is the grave of Bazil, her adopted son. It says he died at the age of 86 in 1886 and was reburied at the site in 1925.
Who’s Correct?
Scholars who believe the 1812 death is historically correct claim there were a lot of holes in the research spurred by the controversy.
Shoshone people on the Wind River Indian Reservation, on the other hand, are confident that Sacajawea is buried there, and that perhaps she didn’t boast of her accomplishments to prevent angering fellow members of her tribe who were resentful of white men.
I like to believe that I visited the actual gravesite of Sacajawea, but we may never know what truly happened to the legendary Shoshone woman.
When do you think Sacajawea died? Could this be her actual gravesite?
Other Landmarks at the Sacajawea Cemetery
While visiting the gravesite, you can’t miss two more landmarks at the cemetery.
Chapel
The small log cabin near Sacajawea’s grave was originally located on Wind River and moved to the cemetery in March 1916. It’s a chapel that was built as a Shoshone mission house and used as a school for many years. The Right Reverend George Maxwell Randall (1810–1873), Episcopal bishop of the Missionary District of Colorado and Parts Adjacent, performed his last service there on August 19, 1873, baptizing 11 Shoshone Indians, including four of Sacajawea’s grandchildren.
Settler Memorial
In front of the chapel is a memorial to Mrs. Maggie Richards and Mrs. Hall, two white settlers who were killed in a Sioux raid at their ranch near Lander on July 23, 1873. It was placed by Nathaniel Thomas (1867–1937), the second Episcopal Bishop of Wyoming, in 1922.
Sacajawea Sculpture
Further back in the cemetery is a sculpture depicting Sacajawea holding a sand dollar at the Pacific Ocean. Visitors have left flowers, rocks, and other offerings on the concrete base at her feet. Interpretive panels tell her life story and provide information on the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Wind River Trading Company
Along US 287 in Fort Washakie, you’ll find the Wind River Trading Company. They sell handmade Native American crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs. The grave of the great Shoshone warrior Chief Washakie (c. 1804/1810–1900) is a short drive away.
