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2008, Gerard Baker

Gerard Baker is the current Superintendent of the Mount Rushmore Memorial Park, and is noteworthy for being the first Native American to hold the position. Appointed in 2004, Baker holds the unenviable position of attempting to build a bridge of understanding between Native and Anglo-American interpretations and understandings of the Mount Rushmore memorial. He is quoted as saying both that his favorite part of the memorial was the back side because it was still uncarved as well as speaking with respect and admiration for the principles of democracy and the presidents depicted there. (Rapid City Journal)

In 2008, the decidedly one-sided materials present within the Mount Rushmore park were expanded to include Heritage Village, a group of three native tipis which are staffed by Native American cultural ambassadors five days a week, willing to perform Native handicrafts and lifestyle demonstrations as well as answer questions and talk about the history of the Sioux and the native peoples within the Black Hills. The exhibit is the first
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