Gerard Baker, a member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of North Dakota, has been named assistant director of American Indian Relations for the National Park Service, a new position.

Baker, 56, will work for NPS Director Jon Jarvis in Washington, D.C. He will serve as a liaison with tribes on cultural, natural resource and other issues affecting Indian Country.

"I’ve asked Gerard to represent me and the National Park Service with tribes across our country to work on issues I believe will further the goals of the National Park Service and goals of First Americans," Jarvis said in a press release.

Baker has worked for the NPS for 30 years. For the last 15 years, he has been a superintendent, most recently at Mount Rushmore National Monument in South Dakota.

“This really is a natural next step in my career and it’s what I’ve been doing all of my life: learning about people, our history and culture, talking to others, sharing stories and learning to appreciate other perspectives. It’s an opportunity we in the National Park Service can’t miss," Baker said.

Baker starts work on April 24. He will keep an office in South Dakota.

Get the Story:
Listen to the Interview: National Park Service Appoints Gerard Baker Assistant Director of American Indian Relations (National Parks Traveler 4/13)
A new assignment for Mount Rushmore superintendent Baker (The Rapid City Journal 4/13)
Baker replacement ‘will have big shoes to fill’ (The Rapid City Journal 4/13)
Baker named to Park Service post (The Omaha World-Herald 4/13)
Baker now assistant director for National Park Service (The Bismarck Tribune 4/13)
Baker named to new NPS job (The Minot Daily News 4/13)