The Modern Face of Sacajawea

Former NAI transaction manager Randy'L Teton is the only living person and the only Native American woman featured on U.S. currency, the Sacagawea golden dollar coin. Randy'L now has an official web site, http://www.faceofgold.com

Sacagawea is the Shoshone Indian guide who appeared on the scene of history in 1804 to assist Lewis and Clark on their momentous expedition west, however that was not her last appearance. In 2000 she was making history again, becoming immortalized on the Golden Dollar coin. Glenna Goodacre, the artist, used Shoshone college student, Randy'L He-dow Teton, as her model.

Randy’L grew up on the Ft. Hall Reservation in the Lincoln Creek District of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe in Southeastern Idaho. She attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she earned an Associate of fine arts degree in museum studies. She also studied at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where she graduated in the Spring of 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in art history with a minor in Native American studies.

According to her web site, Randy’L has worked with Museum of Idaho’s exhibit and Lecture Series on “Discovering Idaho—through the Lewis & Clark Expedition,“ in which she visited local school districts as the voice of Sacagawea. She continues today in this role, as she is able to promote the higher education and betterment of all Native peoples’ well-being. She was also selected as Curator for the “Poha Ba, Land of Healing Waters” exhibition in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, which recognized the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe’s culture and history.

While employed at NAI Commerce One, Ms. Teton played an integral role in company operations and we are proud of her achievements!