Randy'L He-dow Teton facts for kids
Randy'L He-dow Teton, born in 1976, is a Shoshone woman. She became famous for being the model for the US Sacagawea dollar coin. This special coin was first made in the year 2000.
About Randy'L Teton
Randy'L He-dow Teton comes from the Shoshone-Bannock and Cree tribes. Her family lives in the Lincoln Creek area of the Fort Hall Reservation. This reservation is located in southeastern Idaho. She is the second oldest of five children. Her parents are Randy Leo Teton and Bonnie C. Wuttunee-Wadsworth. Both of her parents are members of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe.
Her middle name, He-dow, has a special meaning. In the Shoshoni language, it means "meadowlark." A meadowlark is a type of bird. In the Northern Paiute language, it means "close to ground."
Randy'L went to the University of New Mexico. She graduated when she was 24 years old. She earned a degree in Art History. She also studied Native American Studies.
The Sacagawea Dollar Coin
In 1998, the United States Mint needed a design for a new dollar coin. They wanted the coin to feature Sacagawea. Sacagawea was a Shoshone woman. She was a guide and interpreter for the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
The Mint asked a sculptor named Glenna Goodacre to create the design. Goodacre wanted to find a Shoshone woman to model for Sacagawea. This was because no pictures of Sacagawea from her time exist. Goodacre visited a museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico. There, she met Randy'L Teton, whose mother worked at the museum. Goodacre chose Randy'L to be the face of Sacagawea on the new coin.
Randy'L's Important Work
After the coin was introduced, Randy'L Teton traveled a lot. She helped promote the new dollar coin. She also became a motivational speaker. She encouraged Native American students to get an education.
Randy'L has said something important about the coin. She believes the image on the coin represents all Native American women. She feels it shows the dignity of all women.
Today, Randy'L works for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. She is their public information officer. She still makes public appearances as Sacagawea. She does this to bring attention to important issues. These issues affect American Indian and Alaska Native people.
