Sacagawea was most likely born around 1789 and lived on the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains.  When she was about 12 her people traveled east to hunt buffalo and antelope.  The Hidatsas raided the Shoshone camp to steal horses and take prisoners.   Sacagawea was captured along with her friend Jumping Fish.  It is the Hidatsas who named her Sacagawea or Bird Woman.  Then Jumping Fish was able to escape.  Some people think that Sacagawea could have escaped if she wanted to but there was a younger girl that was sick so she stayed to take care of her.  She was with them untill Charbonneau either bought or won her.  They don't know as much about her childhood as her adulthood.
 

Sacagawea                                                                 More Links
Alana J. White
1997