Randy'L He-Dow Teton: The only living person whose image appears on American currency
When Teton was a 22-year-old student at the University of New Mexico, the U.S. Mint invited internationally renowned Texas-born sculptor Glenna Goodacre to submit designs for the new Sacagawea dollar coin. No contemporary portraits exist of Sacagawea, so Goodacre visited the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. When she asked at the front desk if anyone knew of a young Shoshone woman she might contact, Teton's mother, who worked at the Institute, showed the sculptor pictures of her three daughters. The same night, Goodacre contacted Randy'L.
Many little girls wish to grow up to be fashion models, but how many aspire to sit for hours as the model for a historical figure on a coin?
Randy'L He-Dow Teton (Shoshone-Bannock/Cree) did just that when she was chosen as the depiction of Sacagawea, the legendary guide and interpreter for the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Born in southeastern Idaho in the Lincoln Creek district of the Fort Hall Reservation, she is the daughter of Randy Leo Teton and Bonnie C. Wuttunee-Wadsworth. Her mother is Shoshone-Cree descent. Both parents are members of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe.
Randy'L is the second of five siblings. Her middle name (pronounced he-dough in the Shoshone language) means "meadowlark." Pronounced hi-though in the Bannock language, the translation shifts to "close to the ground."
In 1998, when Teton was a 22-year-old student at the University of New Mexico, the U.S. Mint invited internationally renowned Texas-born sculptor Glenna Goodacre to submit designs for the new Sacagawea dollar coin.
No contemporary portraits exist of Sacagawea, so Goodacre visited the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. When she asked at the front desk if anyone knew of a young Shoshone woman she might contact, Teton's mother, who worked at the Institute, showed the sculptor pictures of her 3 daughters. The same night, Goodacre contacted Randy'L.
The modeling session lasted two hours on one afternoon. It was difficult for Teton, because it required her to hold positions for long periods of time without breathing, and to assume many different poses.
The image selected was of Teton as Sacagawea, carrying her infant son in a sling on her back. Teton believes that the image represents more than Sacagawea herself, but expands to embrace the strength, grace, and humility of all Native American women. She further believes that all women have the same dignity as depicted in the image on the golden dollar.
Randy'L He-Dow Teton earned her associate of fine arts degree in museum studies at the Institute of American Indian Arts and studied at Fort Lewis College (Durango, Colorado). She graduated from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque with a B.A. in art history and a minor in Native American studies (2000).
To promote the golden dollar coin and encourage Native American education, Teton toured the country extensively as a motivational speaker. She continues to bring attention to American Indian and Alaska Native issues and concerns through appearances as both the character Sacagawea, and as herself, a public speaker.
Teton contributed to the Museum of Idaho's exhibit and lecture series, Discovering Idaho-through the Lewis and Clark Expedition by visiting schools and as the voice of Sacagawea. She was selected as curator for the Poha-Ha-Ba, Land of Healing Waters exhibition in Lava Hot Springs which recognized the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe's history and culture.
Her numerous awards and honors include appearing on the cover of Native Peoples millennium edition magazine. She was elected Miss Shoshone-Bannock, Fort Hall, Idaho; received a certificate of recognition from the New Mexico Commission on the Status of Women, and has been the honored guest at many regional and national events.
As the coin takes its place in history, Randy'L He-Dow Teton, who states that her desire is to "help educate the next generation," does so from a unique platform: She is the only living person whose image appears on American currency.
Sources: Amazing Women in History.com; Native Celebs; Native News Today; Randy'L Hedow Teton Facebook.
National Best Books Award and Florida Publishers Association President's Book Award- winner KB Schaller (Cherokee/Seminole heritage) is a journalist, novelist and historical researcher. A version of the above article appears in her recently-published biographical collection, 100+ Native American Women Who Changed the World. She is also author of Gray Rainbow Journey and the sequel, Journey by the Sackcloth Moon.
All of her books are available through Amazon.com
Also through Barnes and Noble and Books a Million. For autographed copies, contact the author at soaring-eagles@msn.com. She lives in the Miami-Dade /Broward County area of South Florida. Website: http://KBSchaller.com.
