# Cogewea — Cogewea, the Half-Blood character guide

> Cogewea in Cogewea, the Half-Blood by Mourning Dove.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Hiawatha Cogewea, the ambitious Cogewea

**First appearance:** 0002-cogewea-the-half-blood

## Who they are

Book-hungry and saddle-hardened, this half-blood dreamer rides the Pend d'Oreille range while wondering whether any world will ever claim her.

## Relationships

### [LaGrinder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/lagrinder)

_family_

Cogewea and LaGrinder are grandmother and granddaughter, with LaGrinder as the wise, traditional elder guiding Cogewea.

### [Alfred Densmore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/alfred_densmore)

_romantic_

Alfred Densmore is a suitor to Cogewea, but his interest is manipulative and self-serving, creating romantic tension.

### [Sis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/sis)

_family_

Cogewea and Sis are sisters, sharing a close bond with occasional rivalry over cultural identity.

### [The Easterner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/the_easterner)

_romantic_

The Easterner is a romantic interest for Cogewea, representing the outside world and a potential escape from her dual heritage.

### [Shoyahpee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/shoyahpee)

_family_

Shoyahpee is Cogewea's brother, and they share a close sibling bond with mutual respect.

### [Bob](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/bob)

_friendship_

Bob is a ranch hand and friend to Cogewea, offering practical support and camaraderie.

### [Wanawish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/wanawish)

_family_

Wanawish is Cogewea's brother, and they share a supportive sibling relationship.

### [Mary McDonald](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/mary_mcdonald)

_friendship_

Cogewea and Mary McDonald share a friendly relationship, with Mary as a confidante and community member.

### [LaGrinder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/lagrinder)

_family_

Cogewea and LaGrinder are grandmother and granddaughter, with LaGrinder as the wise, traditional elder guiding Cogewea.

### [LaGrinder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/lagrinder)

_family_

Cogewea and LaGrinder are grandmother and granddaughter, with LaGrinder as the wise, traditional elder guiding Cogewea.

### [Alfred Densmore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/alfred_densmore)

_romantic_

Alfred Densmore is a suitor to Cogewea, but his interest is manipulative and self-serving, creating romantic tension.

### [Sis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/sis)

_family_

Cogewea and Sis are sisters, sharing a close bond with occasional rivalry over cultural identity.

## In the story

### [Cogewea, the Half-Blood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/cogewea-the-half-blood)

Introduced as the central character, a half-blood woman navigating two cultures.

### [I: Cogewea the Half-Blood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/i-cogewea-the-half-blood)

The protagonist, a half-blood woman, introspective about her identity and future, respected by the rangers.

### [II: The Roundup at Horseshoe Bend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/ii-the-roundup-at-horseshoe-bend)

Helps with housework during the roundup, expresses restlessness, plays a trick on LaGrinder, and confronts a rattlesnake after being thrown from her horse.

### [A Range Idyl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/iii-a-range-idyl)

Contemplates becoming an authoress, receives letters about family visit, and shows spirited independence.

### [IV: Cogewea Hires the Tenderfoot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/iv-cogewea-hires-the-tenderfoot)

Rides to Polson, muses on the 'breed' experience, and hires Densmore.

### [V: The Tenderfoot's Bronco Riding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/v-the-tenderfoot-s-bronco-riding)

Defends her decision to hire Densmore, engages him in conversation, and later takes responsibility for his care after his injury.

### [VI: The Fourth of July](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/vi-the-fourth-of-july)

Eager to race, she enters her horses Diamond and White Star in the ladies' and squaw races. She shows concern for Densmore's injuries but is drawn to the excitement of the day.

### [VII: The “Ladies’ ” and the “Squaw” Races](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/vii-the-ladies-and-the-squaw-races)

Wins the ladies' race but is denied her prize due to racial prejudice; defiantly rejects the tainted money.

### [VIII: The Indian Dancers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/viii-the-indian-dancers)

Participates in the friendship dance, receives a horse as a gift, and hurries home to attend to Densmore.

### [Under the Whispering Pines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/ix-under-the-whispering-pines)

Acts as nurse, writes Densmore's letter, and shows her independence and wariness of his intentions.

### [X: Lo! The Poor 'Breed'](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/x-lo-the-poor-breed)

Rages at a book's portrayal of breeds, defends her mixed-race identity, and expresses frustration with both white and Indian communities.

### [At the Teepee Fireside](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xi-at-the-teepee-fireside)

Visits her grandmother, discusses customs and marriage, and is warned about Densmore's intentions.

### [XII: On Buffalo Butte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xii-on-buffalo-butte)

Cogewea flees to Buffalo Butte to escape her conflicting emotions about Densmore and the warnings of her grandmother. She is found by Jim and reveals her sadness and loneliness.

### [XIII: A Visit to Stemteemä’s Teepee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xiii-a-visit-to-stemteem-s-teepee)

Acts as a cultural interpreter, explaining the peace pipe ritual to Densmore. She is torn between her admiration for Jim and her growing interest in Densmore.

### [XV: The Superior Race](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xv-the-superior-race)

Engages in a fierce debate with Densmore about racial superiority, defends her people's history and traditions, and rejects his advances.

### [On the Old Buffalo Grounds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xvi-on-the-old-buffalo-grounds)

Rides to Buffalo Butte, reflects on the buffalo's significance, and argues with Densmore about Indian rights and marriage.

### [XVII: Frenchy—Toy of the Cowboys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xvii-frenchy-toy-of-the-cowboys)

Interacts with Frenchy upon his arrival, amused by his attempts to speak English; later, Densmore's schemes target her.

### [XVIII: Swa-lah-kin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xviii-swa-lah-kin)

Grows more fond of Densmore but is conflicted about her identity as a breed; interprets the storm as a bad omen.

### [XIX: The Story of Green-blanket Feet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xix-the-story-of-green-blanket-feet)

Listens to the grandmother's story but rebels against the advice to stop seeing Densmore.

### [Back to the Ranch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xxii-back-to-the-ranch)

Watches the outfit return, greets Jim with a mix of anger and affection, and is troubled by Densmore's insistence on tribal marriage.

### [The Basket Social](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xxiii-the-basket-social)

Cogewea brings two baskets to the social, tricks Jim into buying the canoe basket, and dines with Densmore. She is playful and cunning, showing her independence and wit.

### [XXIV: The Second Coming of the Shoyahpee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xxiv-the-second-coming-of-the-shoyahpee)

The object of the Stemteemä's concern; her relationship with Densmore is the source of the grandmother's distress.

### [XXV: Voice of the Autumn Leaves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xxv-voice-of-the-autumn-leaves)

Becomes engaged to Densmore, but remains unaware of his deceitful plot.

### [XXVI: Stemteemä Consults the Sweat House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xxvi-stemteem-consults-the-sweat-house)

Haunted by the ill-omened sign of the broken stone, she meets with Densmore to plan a visit to her grandmother.

### [XXVII: The Forked Tongue of the Shoyahpee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xxvii-the-forked-tongue-of-the-shoyahpee)

Pleads with her grandmother for consent to marry Densmore, but is devastated by the refusal.

### [XXVIII: The Sentinel at the Rock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xxviii-the-sentinel-at-the-rock)

Withdraws a thousand dollars from the bank, feeling anxious and regretful about her decision to elope. She is later robbed and bound by Densmore.

### [XXX: The Cost of Knowing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xxx-the-cost-of-knowing)

Found unconscious and bound by Densmore. She recounts the betrayal, refuses revenge, and decides to return to the Okanogan, acknowledging she should have heeded Stemteemä's warnings.

### [XXXI: A Voice from the Buffalo Skull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xxxi-a-voice-from-the-buffalo-skull)

Still grieving and despondent, but finds new hope and love with Jim after learning of her inheritance.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/cogewea
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters