Posted by Theresa Tanner on 11/22/2023 6:00:00 AM
On Tuesday morning, nearly 1,000 middle school students gathered in their school gym to hear from some special guests.
Their school, Sacajawea Middle School, was named after an Aqai Dika Shoshone woman who accompanied the Lewis & Clark expedition in 1805. The morning’s speakers were descendants of their school’s namesake: Rose Ann Abrahamson and her daughter, Lacey Bacon Abrahamson.
Lacey, an artist and cultural consultant, helped redesign the school’s new Thunderbird logo to include Shoshone culture. Rose Ann is an educator, activist and cultural historian, who shared her great-great-great aunt’s history in a KSPS video presented at the school’s dedication ceremony in October.
Rose Ann and Lacey were invited to speak to the students to share Sacajawea’s history and the importance of her name. Rose Ann explained that just as there are many languages spoken by people in different parts of Europe, there are different Shoshone divisions with distinct languages and traditions.
“When she was captured, her name was distorted,” Rose Ann said. But it’s important to say her name as the Aqai Dika – the Salmon Eaters – pronounced it, because names were given to 3-year-old children based on their habits or characteristics.
“My name means ‘One who moves her head to the rhythm of the drum,’” explained Rose Ann, because she bounced her head when she heard music as a baby. “My daughter Lacey is called ‘Butterfly’ because she –” Rose Ann moved around quickly to demonstrate, fluttering across the floor of the gym, “–and she still does to this day!
“We are given a name for what we did. And Sacajawea’s name means ‘One who carries a burden,’ or ‘That is her burden.’” Sacajawea was named this because she carried a ‘wea’ or a burden basket, which was used during gathering season.
Rose Ann explained that when a name is given to you, it serves you later in life.
She shared that Sacajawea, who was captured by another tribe when she was 12 years old, traded for marriage to a Canadian-born fur trader, and became a mother by the time she was 16, journeyed thousands of miles across the North American continent as an interpreter and guide while carrying her infant son on her back.
“I want you to fight for her name,” Rose Ann told the students. “If someone asks you what her name means, you better know it. You are the students of Sacajawea Middle School. You have to be brilliant and know her history.”
While the students took away some thoughtful lessons, they also had fun during the interactive presentation. Rose Ann taught the group several phrases in Native American Sign Language, like “How are you?”, “What’s your name?” and “I love you.” Rose Ann and Lacey concluded with an Indigenous game between the grades with 8th graders demonstrating the best moves and quickest reflexes.
The students were excited to share what they took away from the experience.
“Meeting them is really special,” said ASB president Ava, noting that she liked the practice of naming children based on their characteristics. “It would be cool if we did that today.”
“It’s important to get that perspective on how they lived and how they live now,” she added, grateful for the time Rose Ann and Lacey shared with her and her classmates. “They showed us respect, so we need to show them respect.”
“You represent one of the most famous women in the world, a human being. I want you to be inspired by her,” Rose Ann told the students. “You are powerful, you are special, and you have purpose.”
Several news outlets attended the event. Video can be found at KXLY and KHQ.
