The Lost Journals of Sacajewea by Debra Magpie Earling
Debra Magpie Earling’s “The Lost Journals of Sacajewea” is the reclamation of a historical figure often clouded by myth. Sacajewea was a Shoshone woman who traveled as part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition from 1804 to 1806, serving at times as both an interpreter and guide. Historians disagree on most other details surrounding her life, including the proper spelling and meaning of her name, and her dates of birth and death.
Yet, what is not in dispute is the violence and harm that many Native American women suffered at the hands of raiding parties, enslavement and Western expansionism. Earling, a member of the Bitterroot Salish, draws on this history to tell Sacajewea’s story within its historical time and place.
As a result, “Lost Journals” is a story replete with women suffering violence at the hands of men, but also an attempt to find power and agency for these same women through the retelling of their stories.
“Lost Journals” is an unconventional novel, written in short, often blunt, diary segments. Earling’s poetic prose utilizes a sparse, rhythmic cadence, creating an initial barrier that quickly transforms into an immersive experience. The fragmented style ultimately draws the reader in, creating a cinematic tableau as this difficult story unfolds.
Sacajewea has been claimed, and oft romanticized by, Western history, being honored in numerous monuments and namings, bestowed the title of Honorary Sergeant by President Clinton, immortalized on USPS stamps, and even commemorated on a US dollar coin.
Earling’s Sacajewea stands in stark contrast to these sanitized and repackaged memorials to Western history. She is a survivor who endures and overcomes great adversity; fighting to adapt when faced with constantly changing circumstances.
Sacajewea faced a lack of power and agency in her world, yet by recontextualizing her story through “The Lost Journals of Sacajewea,” Earling helps us to see the world through her eyes and gain some insight into how she survived to be remembered down through history.
“The Lost Journals of Sacajewea” should appeal to readers of historical fiction, literary fiction, Native American history, and U.S. history. Visit wcls.org to find “The Lost Journals of Sacajewea” and other similarly themed stories.
“The Lost Journals of Sacajewea” is the November selection for the Books & Bites book group. Join Books & Bites at the Blaine Library on Friday, November 21, at 1 p.m., for a time of community and lively conversation: Books and Bites – WCLS Library Events – Whatcom County Library System.
Jonathan Jakobitz is an avid reader and the branch manager of the Blaine Library.
(Originally published in The Northern Light, Wednesday, November 12, 2025.)