Naya Nuki was captured by another Indian tribe along with her best friend Sacajawea.  Yes, that Sacajawea.  I was duly surprised to find that Naya Nuki and Sacajawea were both captured on the same day in Montana.  Growing up in Washington State near the Columbia River, I was constantly being reminded that Sacajawea was the guide for Lewis and Clark.  There was even a huge mural at the entrance of my grade school depicting Sacajawea and the Lewis and Clark expedition.  Living where we do now, we are very close to Pompey's Pillar (named after Sacajawea's son).  Considering all the attention lavished on Sacajawea I've always considered Sacajawea to be a heroine.  I would never have dreamed that some little girl named Naya Nuki could be just as inspiring--yet in a different way.  Naya Nuki:  Shoshoni Girl Who Ran has given me a whole new perspective on things.

Naya Nuki was taken from an area near the Jefferson River in Montana to a location along the Missouri River in central North Dakota.  Of course, there were no states then since this was prior to the Lewis and Clark expedition which opened up the West.  Naya Nuki was given to a mature tribeswoman as a worker.  Escape was always on her mind, and she was able to convey her desires to Sacajawea.  But Sacajawea was not interested in escaping.  So Naya Nuki escaped on her own and completed the arduous journey back to Western Montana using the Missouri River as her guide.

So while Sacajawea performed a valuable service to Lewis and Clark, I find Naya Nuki's story more compelling.  Her courageous flight is inspiring.  The true story of Naya Nuki's boldness and perseverance has come down to us today through storytellers.  I feel that this story is an interesting complement to the story of Lewis and Clark and their guide Sacajawea.  It could be read aloud when Lewis and Clark are studied.

I read this book aloud to my 9-year-old daughter in one week.  She really enjoyed it.  There is a map in the book, but a larger map, possibly in an atlas, would be a helpful companion to this story.  A bit of background as to who Lewis and Clark and Sacajawea are would also facilitate things.

Naya Nuki is available at a discount from Amazon.com.  Plus there are more reviews of the book for you to read if you click here.