Gerard Baker on medical leave from Mount Rushmore

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Mount Rushmore Superintendent Gerard Baker, one of my Mandan and Hidatsa relatives from the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota. It’s not up to me to report the details of his medical condition, but I can say he is at his home in Rapid City, S.D. and recovering. The Rapid City Journal on Friday reported that he is expected to be back to work within three weeks. “He did go to the hospital last week because he was not feeling well, and he is at home,” Nanvit Singh, a park spokesman said. “He has a lot of accumulated leave. And he’s going to be taking some time off. While he’s doing that, we have an acting superintendent.”

Gerard is a highly respected citizen of the Three Affiliated Tribes who has a tremendous depth of knowledge about the language and history of the Mandan and Hidatsa people. We all pray for a full and speedy recovery. Gerard has a legion of friends and relatives who expect him to fully regain his strength. I will report any information the family is willing to share in this healing process. Meanwhile, a salute to Gerard who is one of the real warriors of Indian Country. He has been a strong advocate for Native people during his entire career with the National Park Service. He’s come under fire by people who have a hard time including Native perspectives into park history, something Gerard has done at the Little Bighorn Battlefield and at Mount Rushmore. He also worked successfully to bring the Native view to light during the Lewis and Clark commemorations that took place across the United States in recent years.

Jodi Rave