Imogene Baker (1918-2005)

Imogene Baker Dogeagle was an extraordinary Cobber who went on to continue a legacy of excellence following her graduation from Concordia in 1939. During her time at Concordia, she was a very accomplished student, and was involved with many activities on campus. Her most notable accomplishments were achieved during her senior year when she served as the president of the Woman’s Athletics Association, president of the largest women’s dormitory on campus, and was chosen Homecoming Queen. Her election as a homecoming queen was especially momentous, as she was the first indigenous student to attend Concordia, thus making her the first indigenous woman to receive the honor.

On February 8, 1918, Imogene Baker was born on the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota to Louis Baker Sr. and Ellen Grinnell Baker. During her early childhood, Imogene attended Independence Day School and the Congregational Mission School in Elbowoods, ND. Her desire for education was evident, even at five years old. Baker began her schooling at the mission school when she was five, however she faced many barriers to entry. According to a 1940 article describing her youth, the school was at-capacity, and she wasn’t old enough for admission, but upon being told to go back home, she “proceeded to cry for an education.” Her genuine emotional outburst worked in her favor, and she became a student at Elbowoods. [1]

Baker proved to be an outstanding scholar despite the many pressures she faced. The Congregational Mission School at Elbowoods had a strict discipline. All students were expected to mind and provide high standards of schoolwork. This social pressure did not break her driven spirit, but it fueled her to be even better. This drive and passion for learning paid off, and her excellence was envied by her classmates. After her schooling at the two schools in Elbowoods, she followed in her father’s footsteps by attending school on the Santee Sioux Reservation in Niobrara, Nebraska. Baker then returned to Fort Berthold to attend Garrison High School. During her time at Garrison, she upheld her determination to do well in school, “winning the highest honors of any girl among its 500 pupils.” Her hard work and determination paid off during her youth and after her high school graduation she received a scholarship to attend Concordia. [2]

Baker began her life as a Cobber in the fall of 1935 as the only indigenous person enrolled in her freshmen class of 160 students. Her reputation as a hard worker and extraordinary student preceded her, and she “was always sought after for a roommate.” She was engaged in many on-campus activities during her time at the college, her most notable being her roles as president of the Women’s Athletic Association, a president of Fjelstad Hall, and the first indigenous homecoming queen. In the contest for queen, Baker won by a “substantial margin.” Her election as the tenth Miss Concordia was well deserved through her commitment to the college, as well as her status of being the great-great-granddaughter of Short Bull, a Mandan Chieftain. The honor of being Miss Concordia had special perks during the 1939 commencement, where Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Martha of Norway, were in attendance as commencement speakers. As described in the Concordian, Baker “was selected as the representative of the women students because of her high rank in the student body and because of her personal charm. Her gracious welcome gave deep pleasure to the Crown Princess and introduced the royal guest fittingly to the spirit of Concordia.” Upon Baker’s welcome to Princess Martha, she presented her with a corsage on behalf of the Fjelstad Hall residents, where the Princess resided during her four-hour visit to the campus. During the ceremony, where eighty-two seniors received their degrees, Baker received her Bachelor of the Arts in Home Economics. Despite any adversities she may have faced during her years of schooling, she was able to compete successfully and gain the respect of all she encountered. Her unwavering spirit led her to “go forward in her work as a teacher without fear and high hopes for the future." [3]

Baker’s graduation from Concordia was cause for much celebration. After commencement, her family held a two-day party in Independence, ND as she “was the first four-year college graduate from Fort Berthold.” As related in her obituary, at this celebration, “Mrs. Foolish Woman gave her the name of Chief Woman.” Baker married Ambrose Franklin Dogeagle in 1940, and shortly after he was shipped out to fight in World War II. She began her career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs during this time, teaching home economics at schools in Warm Springs, Oregon, Fort Totten, North Dakota, and Intermountain Indian School, Utah. During her fifteen-year career with the BIA as a home economics teacher, she gave birth to her son, Warren Dogeagle in 1949. Six years after giving birth to Warren, she changed careers within the BIA. Imogene Dogeagle moved to Los Angeles, California where her contributions to the BIA Relocation and Vocational Department made it, according to her obituary, “the most successful relocation, vocational guidance, and placement program in its time. The program recruited, housed, obtained training, and placed Native American students into productive jobs and careers throughout the Southern California area.” Just ten years later, she was promoted to associate director of the program, and she moved to the Seattle area. Dogeagle remained in her position as associate director until her retirement at 55 in 1973. She continued to live in Seattle and visited her relatives in the Pacific Northwest as well as returning to North Dakota for family celebrations. She passed away on July 8, 2005, in Washington. She had a long-lasting impact on the communities she served. Funeral and burial services were held in North Dakota and a memorial service in Washington. Instead of flowers, her family asked that memorials be made to the Fort Berthold Community College. [4]