Sacajawea Statue Dedicated in Great Falls

[The Straight Story]

Sacajawea Statue Dedicated in Great Falls


GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) — A statue of Sacajawea with her baby in a papoose on her back has been dedicated with music, ceremonial blessings and the burning of sweetgrass at the Missouri River Federal Courthouse in Great Falls.

More than 100 people took part Friday in the ceremony for the 9 1/2-foot statue of the American Indian woman who helped guide explorers Lewis and Clark on their trip West.

The statue, titled "Arduous Journey," was created by Carol Grende, who died in March 2009. Grende used to take the statue to Lewis and Clark gatherings in various states.

A fundraising campaign raised $80,000 to buy the statue, which for the past few years has been on loan to the Great Falls International Airport.

"We've made Great Falls the permanent home of this lasting legacy to Sacajawea," said Mary Willmarth, who chaired the fundraising campaign.

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