Gerard A. Baker is the superintendent of the "Corps of Discovery II: 200 Years to the Future" project. Corps of Discovery II is a project conducted by the NPS to commemorate the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition during the years 2003-2006. Baker is the key management official working with other federal and state agencies, private industry and diverse communities. Baker served as the superintendent for Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Oklahoma, assumes the new role August 27.

Baker was born and raised on his father's cattle ranch located on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in western North Dakota. Fort Berthold Indian Reservation is the home of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Tribes. Baker is a full-blood member of the Three Affiliated Tribes which includes the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara. He spent his early years being raised in a very traditional manner, learning his culture from his older Clan relatives through oral history.

Baker attended schools on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation at Mandanee, North Dakota, and graduated from St. Mary's High School in New England, North Dakota, graduating in 1972. He graduated in 1979 from Southern Oregon State University, Ashland, Oregon, with bachelor of science degrees in Criminology and Sociology.

Baker began his NPS career in 1979 as a park technician at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site in North Dakota. He served as historian for Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site for two years before assuming the North Unit District Ranger job at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. In 1990, Baker transferred to the U.S. Forest Service as assistant district ranger for the Little Missouri National Grasslands, also in North Dakota. He spent the following year as assistant district ranger for the Beartooth District in Red Lodge, and acting district ranger on the Ashland District, Montana, before returning to the NPS as superintendent of Little Big Horn Battlefield National Monument, Crow Agency, Montana.

In 1997, Baker received the NPS' Intermountain Regional Director's Award for Cultural Resource Management and a team performance award for his work with the Indian Memorial at Little Bighorn Battlefield. In 1998, he became superintendent of Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Oklahoma, and received the U.S. Department of the Interior's Honor Award for Superior Service.

Baker has lectured extensively on American Indian issues. In 1997, he was a consultant to Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan on their "Lewis & Clark: A Corps of Discovery" film, which had a special preview at the White House.

Meeting Transcript

Club Leader: Thank you for joining the chat about Lewis and Clark. Our guest is Gerard Baker, Superintendent, Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail. Mr. Baker, thank you for joining tonight's chat. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your work at the Lewis and Clark Trail?

Gerard Baker: Thank you, a brief background, I am from North Dakota, from a small town called Mandaree on the Fort Berthold Indian reservation. I have been the Superintendent of the Lewis and Clark National HIstoric Trail since Sept. of last year.

Club Leader: How did you become interested in Lewis and Clark?

Gerard Baker: I have been interested in various aspects of the Lewis and Clark story all of my life.

Club Leader: At what age did you first learn about Lewis and Clark?

Gerard Baker: I first learned about the York story from my Clan Grandfather's when I was old enough to listen.

Club Leader: What is the York Story?

Gerard Baker: The York story is when the Tribes of the Mandan-Hidatsa and Arikara first saw the Black slave and did not believe a man could be black and tried to rub the color off his face.

Club Leader: Do you have a favorite story or fact about Lewis and Clark you can share with us?

Gerard Baker: My favorite story is about the winter that Lewis and Clark spent in the Mandan-Hidatsa villages at Knife RIver and it is the story of York, course there is alot of other stories along the trail that I like as well.

Club Leader: What is the Lewis and Clark trail?

Gerard Baker: This is a National Trail that is Mandated by Congress and covers the route of Lewis and Clark, starting from Wood River to Fort Clatsop Oregon.

Club Leader: Let's take a question from a book club member. ccb26 in Missoula, MT asks: I have been told in through my recent studies that Sacagawea was a Shoshone women, I have recently read that she may have been a Hidatsa, what is your opinion on this matter?

Gerard Baker: I have learned from my tribe which is Hidatsa that she was a HIdatsa that came from a village called Night Walker's butte. From our Oral History of my tribe, this is what we believe, however I also think that it is very possible she may be the other tribe

Club Leader: Can you tell us about the Mandan - Hidasta village?

Gerard Baker: The Mandan-Hidatsa Village is along the confluence of the Missouri and Knife River and was comprised of 5 villages, 3 Hidatsa and 2 Mandan, these being Earthlodge villages and based on agriculture

Club Leader: Can you tell us a little about these men? Where they were from and how they came upon this journey?

Gerard Baker: Both of these men were from the East and Lewis was a distant relative of President Jefferson and Lewis knew CLark from the Army.

Barbara of Redding, CA asks: What were the families of these men like? Married? Children? What happened to family members?

Gerard Baker: Most were unmarried, that is why they picked them as young unmarried men.

Club Leader: And their family?

Gerard Baker: All have family of course, the most from Ky and Virginia.

jmorris in Atlanta, GA asks: I am a descendant of Col. William Morrison of Kaskaskia, IL. It is my understanding that Lewis and Clark picked up most of their men and supplies in Kaskaskia, IL before departing from St. Charles, Mo. What more can you tell me of their experiences on Kaskaskia Island, IL??

Gerard Baker: THey did pick up alot of supplies at this Fort, which is below St. Louis. Most of the men were already on board and they also got some supplies from Harpers Ferry WV and Philly. This is about all I know about this fort.

Club Leader: Can you explain the Corps of Discovery?

Gerard Baker: The Corps of Discovery was a title that meant many things, first and foremost, it was a Discovery for a "young" US. To discover the interior of AMerican, the tribes that lived and the science, so in the "American" sense it was a discovery and of course the Corps meaning that is was a group of people.

Dr. G. K. Maravelas of Fairhaven, MA Asks: What personal and professional attributes qualified Lewis as the Leader of the Corps of Discovery?

Gerard Baker: He was a personal friend and Sec. to Pres. Jefferson, was young and showed leadership abilities to Jefferson.

T. McGuire of Annapolis, MD asks: I am a direct male descendant from John McGuire of Virginia who served in the Revolutionary War (Captain on Washington's staff) and later, according to family records (SAR and Sons of Cincinnati documentation) served on the Lewis & Clark expedition. Where or what would be the best way to research his particular contribution to the expedition?

Gerard Baker: Look at the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation. They have a genealogy committee that lists alot of the descendants, you should be able to get this from our web site www.nps.gov/lecl you can link from here to the foundation

geok5 in Gahanna, OH asks: How many white explorers/traders had been in the Mandan area prior to Lewis and Clark, and what was the reaction of the Native tribes to these men?

Gerard Baker: They were many various companies and countries that have visited the Villages. These villages were the hub of the Northern Plain Trade with these folks. The reaction was that this was another opportunity to trade and enhance their lifestyle from this trade. They, the villages were also a major trade before the coming of the white man, trading with all surrounding tribes of the Northern Plains and into the ROcky MT.

Mike Golden of Walla Walla, Washington asks: Meriweather Lewis carried an air rifle on the trek west. Id be interested in learning something about this weapon. Apparently it was powerful enough to use for hunting game. Who manufactured it? What type of projectile did it shoot?

Gerard Baker: It probably came from Harpers Ferry that shot a projectile that was pumped up with air. THis was a favorite object to show the Tribes to impress them!!

Lisa Ledyard of Steubenville, OH asks: I understand that explorer John Ledyard was initially chosen to explore the west, but unfortunately died before heading the expedition and Lewis & Clark were summarily assigned. I heard when they reached the western coast they erected a memorial of some sort to Mr. Ledyard & I was wondering if you could tell me where it is and what it is named?

Gerard Baker: It is true he was an explorer before Lewis and CLark, but went the other direction and was going across Russia when he died, I do not know of any memorial??

Club Leader: Can you tell us about the Lewis and Clark journals? Anyone in the book club know about the memorial?

Gerard Baker: Well, lots to say on the Journals, but the latest is Dr. Gary Moulton, which I personally find are one of the best. THere were two other editions of the Journals before, Biddle and Coues.

wkolopajlo (zanesville, OH)asks: of Did Lewis and Clark write separate journals? Do they both survive?

Gerard Baker: Yes, they each wrote and some survived. Others on the expedition wrote them as well, such as Sgt. Gass. THere are also some missing portions of the journals.

Club Leader: Can you tell us about what Lewis and Clark wrote in their journals?

Gerard Baker: Briefly, they wrote about the Science, including Flora and Fauna, Tribes, weather, geology and "everything" they experienced.

Michael Fulmer of Houston, TX asks: There was a fictionalized account about Lewis & Clark's sojourn written in the first person, but told through the consciousness of their dog, a New Foundland I believe. My 5th grade teacher Mrs. Mitchell (Holin Hills Elementary School, Alexandria , VA) read it to us. I am seeking it's title and would care to hear your comments about it.

Gerard Baker: I have no idea of this book, and have never heard of it, I would also like to now more about it!!!

Club Leader: Anyone know about this book? Also, please visit the community bookstore on the American Writers site - you can purchase books about Lewis and Clark via Borders Books.

Charles Dickinson of Jackson, MS asks: Your thoughts on why Lewis omitted writing in his log?

Gerard Baker: Could be some of it were lost, or he let Clark write, no one really knows

wdan111147 in Richmond, VA asks: Two questions - Did not lewis try to court marshall clark and where did the compress air come from for the air rifle?

Gerard Baker: He did not try to court marshall. the weapon was a manuel pump taking in air from the atmosphere.

geok5 in Gahanna, OH asks: Were Lewis and Clark able to send dispatches back to the east to appraise Jefferson of their ongoing efforts or was it completely unknown until their return?

Gerard Baker: They sent them back from Fort Mandan after the first winter, after they left Fort Mandan, there was no communication with the East.

alnicholson in Springfield, asks: How difficult was the return trip?

Gerard Baker: THe return trip was alot easier and faster as it was going downstream. THey also know where they were going and took advice from the different tribes.

Viewer asks: did Lewis or Clark give any lectures on their trip after they returned. I think that they did not publish an account of their trip for many years.

Gerard Baker: The did not publish for several years and did give several reports.

Bambi97536 in Prospect, OR asks: I have read that the Lewis/Clark expedition bought dogs from the Nez Perce Indians, which they later ate. Is this true?

Gerard Baker: Yes, they did eat some dogs, Lewis did not like the taste of the Dog, but Clark thought is was ok.

Ralph Edwards of Morgantown, NC asks: Lewis' Newfoundland dog, maybe the most famous dog in US history? What ever happened to his dog?

Gerard Baker: For that time period I would say yes, in the modern times it could be Lassie!!!

Club Leader: What did the dog do during the trip? What became of the dog? These chat transcripts are archived online in the Book CLub Meeting Room. Simply log on and click on the Meeting Room Icon.

Gerard Baker: They do not know what became of the dog, The dog was a companion traveling along sometime on the shore when they walked and also on the keel boat. He also saved the camp from a Bison Bull and a Grizzly Bear

beatl in Scotia, NY asks: how much of the original trail is still wilderness area ?

Gerard Baker: There is still some very great pristine areas along the trail, including the Lolo Pass, Lehmi Pass, and Upper Missouri Wild and Scenic River in Montana, I think every State has pristine areas.

jmorris in Atlanta, GA asks: What type of relationships did the early fur traders(prior to Lewis & Clark) have with the different Native American tribes??

Gerard Baker: Various relationships, but mostly the tribes saw them as an opportunity to do business.

wdan111147 in Richmond, VA asks: At anytime did the party divide into more them one group or did they stay together for the whole trip?

Gerard Baker: ON the return trip, one group went down the Yellowstone, one went up the Mairis and one group went down the Missouri, later all joining at the Confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone

stephiek in Kadoka, SD asks: I teach at a Lakota Tribal high school. My students are interested in the Lakota's tense meeting with L&C. Any details ?

Gerard Baker: THe Teton felt that they did not get enough "gifts" from the Lewis and Clark group, as they controlled the portion of the river and had been used to getting good tolls from other groups

chrisc in aurora, OH asks: my fifth grade wants to know how Lewis and Clark went over into the oregon country that didn't belong to them.

Gerard Baker: This portion was not really controlled by WHite people at this time, so in the contexts of "discovery" they entered in to this area.

Maggie (Clark) Barks of Dexter, MO asks: What was Clark's relationship with Sacagewa?I know Clark adopted Sacagewa's two oldest children but is there any documentation as to why he did this?

Gerard Baker: I feel he had great respect for her, as she did help Clark and the rest of the Corps. He also really liked Pomp, her son.

lakeherron in Indianapolis, IN asks: It is amazing to me the good fortune that this journey had...meeting sakajawea's brother and a friendly Indian tribe when it was needed the most. Please address the serendipitous nature of the journey.

Gerard Baker: It was a great luck to meet her brother. The tribes along the way assisted the Corps of Discovery, if not for these Tribes we would of had a different story, I feel.

chartwick in Attica, MI asks: Where and when do YOU believe Sacagawea died and is buried?

Gerard Baker: This my friend is a loaded question, I have no idea!!

Christy in Missoula, MT asks: Natural specimens and objects given to them by various American Indian tribes were acquired through the Lewis and Clark expedition. Are any of those items that were taken or sent back to President Jefferson, curated in museums or other facilities in the United States?

Gerard Baker: Hi dear, many of these items were lost when they were tipped over on the return trip. However, there were some items that did make and these are in different museums.

Gahanna, OH asks: Following the return trip east, did either Lewis or Clark ever go back? Also, Lewis committed suicide a few years after the expedition but what eventually became of Clark?

Gerard Baker: Clark became Gov. of the Indian Affairs and was also Gov. of Missouri, neither went back to the West. THe suicide is also a debated topic, although most scholars do believe it was suicide.

Dean Allison of Huntington, CA asks: What kind of press coverage did the expedition get. That is did most americans know about and follow the expedition at the time?

Gerard Baker: No, there was not much press coverage at the time, it really was not a big event at the time.

Rev. Dr. John Szilvasy of El Paso, TX asks: Do you know of any plans for interested persons to travel the route of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. I would like to sign up for a bus trip along the Lewis & Clark Expedition?

Gerard Baker: There is some great plans for the 2003-2006 event. We have a project called "Corps of Discovery II:200 years to the Future" that will be a traveling classroom. We the NPS are working with many other Federal Agencies on th is effort. You can call our office at 402.221.3471 for a map of this trail and for more information on this project. ALso see out website at www.nps.gov/lecl

clinchfieldrr in Denham Springs, LA asks: What is your favorite area along the trail, besides the Mandan villages of course?

Gerard Baker: I personally like the Ocean area, and of course Fort Clatsop. I like ALL of the trail areas!!!