Attending Southern Oregon State University on a basketball scholarship, Baker earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and sociology in 1979.

When the name change was enacted during Baker's tenure, he received "angry letters, a petition for removal, and seven confirmed death threats".

[7] During the 120th anniversary ceremonies at Little Bighorn in 1996, Lakota tribe members performed a victory dance and touched the monument marking the 7th Cavalry Regiment mass grave to symbolize counting coup.

Fans of George Armstrong Custer claimed that Baker was "Indianizing" Little Bighorn and accused him of allowing the descration of the grave.

[1]In 1998, Baker became superintendent of Chickasaw National Recreation Area and received the Honor Award for Superior Service from the Interior Department.

[2] Baker was appointed superintendent of Corps of Discovery II in 2000, a project to create a mobile multi-media education center that recounts the journey of Lewis and Clark.

[1] On June 25, 2003, Baker and other former superintendents who had worked for establishment of the Indian Memorial hosted the dedication ceremonies at Little Big Horn.

[13] As superintendent, Baker promoted Native American education programs and added interpretive displays to incorporate the perspectives of the tribes.

[15] The exhibits and Indian speakers that Baker added became some of Mount Rushmore's most popular features with the public, however there was local criticism that his additions did not belong and that he was imposing his "personal values".

[17]At Mount Rushmore, Baker worked on modifying forest management policies to address a pine beetle infestation.