Gerard Baker, Pathfinder Award Speech at the 2015 Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums Conference

In this video, Gerard Baker, former Superintendent of Mount Rushmore National Monument, gives his acceptance speech for the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums' 2015 Pathfinder Award. In his speech, Baker discusses his career and how his personal, family, and community history provide guidance. Specifically, he elaborates on the role that stories play in the survival of his community after being displaced due to the damming of the Missouri River. In addition, he discusses the conflict between being an effective administrator and an effective advocate for tribal communities. Finally, he talks about the importance of preserving Indigenous culture through ritual and recording family and community histories. This speech was given at the ATALM annual conference in Washington DC, on September 12, 2015.