Charles Sams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chuck Sams
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Official portrait, 2022
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| 19th Director of the National Park Service | |
| In office December 16, 2021 – January 20, 2025 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Jonathan Jarvis |
| Succeeded by | TBC |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Charles F. Sams III
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| Education | Concordia University (BA) University of Oklahoma (MLS) |
| Military service | |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1988–1992 |
| Rank | Intelligence Specialist |
| Unit | Medium Attack Squadron 155 |
| Wars | Gulf War |
Charles F. Sams III is an American conservationist. He served as the 19th leader, or director, of the National Park Service from 2021 to 2025. He is a member of the Cayuse and Walla Walla tribes. Sams made history as the first Native American to lead the National Park Service.
Contents
About Charles Sams
Early Life and School
Charles Sams grew up in Pendleton, Oregon. His family has a long history with the Walla Walla people. One of his ancestors, Peo Peo Mox Mox, was a Walla Walla leader. Peo Peo Mox Mox signed a treaty that created the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
Sams finished high school in Pendleton in 1988. He later earned a degree in business from Concordia University (Oregon) in 2003. In 2020, he received another degree in legal studies from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
Military Service
From 1988 to 1992, Sams served in the United States Navy. He worked as an intelligence specialist. This job involved gathering and analyzing important information. He was part of different units, including one that supported aircraft carriers.
Early Career in Conservation
After his time in the Navy, Sams worked for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. He was a data analyst and a spokesperson. He helped explain how a law from 1887, called the Dawes Allotment Act, caused tribal lands to be sold. The tribes later started a program to buy back these lands.
Sams also worked for several environmental groups. He was an executive director for the Earth Conservation Corps. He also led the Community Energy Project. From 2006 to 2010, he worked for the Trust for Public Land. This group helps protect land for public use. He also held roles with the Umatilla Tribal Community Foundation. In 2021, he was appointed to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.
Leading the National Park Service
Becoming Director
On November 18, 2021, Charles Sams was chosen to be the director of the National Park Service. Everyone agreed on his appointment. He officially started his job on December 16, 2021. As a member of the Cayuse and Walla Walla tribes, he became the first Native American to hold this important position.
Goals as Director
As the leader of the National Park Service, Sams had important goals. He wanted to make national parks more accessible for everyone. This means making sure people with disabilities can easily visit and enjoy the parks. He used money from the Great American Outdoors Act to help with this.
Sams also focused on how national parks tell the story of Native American history. In 2022, he said the National Park Service would work to improve this. He wanted to make sure educational materials shared Native American history accurately and respectfully.
See also
- List of members of the American Legion
