This week lands us in Idaho where the original expedition met the Lemhi
Shoshoni, led by Sacagawea’s brother. Sacagawea was originally from the area that is now known as Idaho, but was kidnapped by Hidatsa Indians and sold to Toussaint Charboneau.
Before the Lewis and Clark expedition, fur traders (like Sacagawea’s husband, Toussaint Charboneau) were often the only Europeans that had already been to the places on the expedition’s route. This week’s activities revolve around the fur trade.
Reading
Choose one or more of the following reading activities.
- The expedition crosses into Idaho
- Relive the adventure in Idaho
- The Lewis and Clark Trail Across Idaho
- The Great Lakes Fur Trade
Expedition Exploration & Writing
Click here to print the Week Eight activity sheet
Once you’ve completed one or both of the activities, write about it in your Lewis & Clark journal.
- Visit a museum or educational center that features the fur trade era. Write about how buying/trading things today are different and similar to the fur trade era ways.
- Get creative. Set up your own trading post at home with a friend or sibling. Pretend to trade goods and services. Write about how it went. Do you prefer buying things with money or trading?
P and I visited the Ice Age Trail Visitor’s Center in northern Wisconsin recently. I had no idea it would relate so well to our Lewis & Clark expedition. The center had a great fur trading exhibit with pelts, clothing and trading goods on display. I really enjoyed the fur trade exhibit. P just skimmed it and moved on, but he did really get into fur trader games set up outside. The visitor center has two stations set up: an obstacle course and a game of balance. Both games were similar to games fur traders would play competitively. Competition is a language P speaks well!
Weeks nine and ten will hopefully come soon. School starts next Tuesday so we better get our expedition moving!
See you on the trail,
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