And now this account, which has tried to do what the original documentary tradition failed to do: treat her story as the primary subject rather than as context for someone else’s narrative.

She crossed 250 miles of Blue Mountain winter with two young children and a set of specific knowledge and arrived at the Columbia River in spring.

The canoes came.

A child called out.

She was recognized.

That is what the historical record gives us.

She gave considerably more.