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The group reached present-day Yankton, South Dakota, where Sioux country begins. Native Americans — the Yankton and Teton Sioux tribes — controlled the river, which meant making a good impression was critical for future American traders and travelers through this region.
When they met Yankton Sioux, Lewis gave his then-standard speech about their new “great father” in Washington. Disappointed by the lack of presents — mostly a few medals, a hat, a coat and some goods — the Sioux reluctantly agreed to travel to Washington in the spring to meet Jefferson.
The Corps continued upstream. Their records tell us of their astonishment in finding small mammals that lived in tunnels — prairie dogs — and of the size of bison herds that thundered across the plains.
Nearly a month after their meeting with the Yankton Sioux, Lewis and Clark would meet the formidable Teton Sioux. They too were insulted by the Corps' gifts, which paled in comparison to what traders brought in exchange for passage along the river. The night ended with each side upset, bows drawn and guns raised. The Corps refused to back down. Fortunately, Black Buffalo, one of the leaders, interceded, calming the Teton warriors.
Lewis and Clark took Black Buffalo into their care, traveling to his village for more festivities. They stayed for two days. Again, when Lewis and Clark readied to leave, a confrontation ensued. The visit ended with bad feelings on each side. Lewis and Clark had failed President Jefferson’s orders to make the Sioux tribes American allies.
The Corps continued upstream, into Arikaras territory where they had a good meeting. Lewis and Clark witnessed mass migrations of bison, elk and pronghorn across the river, saw their first grizzly bear and discovered a poorwill apparently in a deep sleep. It would be more than 100 years before a zoologist would discover this bird’s tendency to hibernate.
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In Their Own Words... |
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The Yankton Sioux camp “was handsum made of Buffalow Skins Painted defferent Colour, all compact & handSomly arranged, their Camps formed of a Conic form Containing about 12 or 15 persons each and 40 in number."
~ Sergeant Pryor, becoming the first American to describe a teepee | | They traveled north, beyond present-day Bismark, North Dakota, toward Mandan land — the trading center of the Great Plains. Here, they would find many friends and a place to spend the cold, harsh winter. The Corps busied themselves, building a fort, meeting British and French traders and learning all they could from these men about what lie ahead. It was here they met Toussaint Charbonneau and his wife, Sacagawea, who would join them as they traveled west. Sacagawea, a pregnant 15-year-old, was captured by raiding Hidatsa several years prior. Her guidance along the journey would be critical, especially as the Corps ventured near the Shoshones, her people.
Before the winter ended, Sacagawea would give birth to boy — Jean Baptiste Charbonneau — who also traveled with the Corps.
As spring neared, Lewis, Clark and their men were anxious to continue their journey up the Missouri River. Ice on the river began to break and melt, making the river rise 13 inches in one day, while geese and ducks began migrating north.
Next: Breaking Winter Camp | 
