Based on an exhibition that opened in Oct. 2004 at the Newberry Library, Chicago, Ill

Introduction : What can we learn from a bicentennial? / Frederick E. Hoxie -- pt. 1: The Indian country. The arrival of horses accelerates trade and cultural change -- A brilliant plan for living : creators -- A brilliant plan for living : gifts -- A brilliant plan for living : men and women -- A vast network of partners -- pt. 2: Crossing the Indian country. What did the Americans know? -- Celebrating the new year and surviving the winter with the Mandans, January 1805 -- Trading for horses and finding their way, August-September 1805 -- Rescued by the Nez Perces -- New Year's Day 1806 and the Oregon winter -- Friends and trading partners on the Upper Columbia -- A confrontation in Montana -- pt. 3: A new nation comes to the Indian country. Two views of western North America -- The fur trade -- New settlers -- Miners -- Ranchers -- Missionaries and teachers -- pt. 4: The Indian country today. Salmon restoration -- Environmental protection -- Language preservation -- Education and cultural preservation -- The meaning of the Lewis and Clark bicentennial for Native Americans -- Conclusion : Lewis and Clark reconsidered : some sober second thoughts / James P. Ronda