Sam Johnston (Yukon politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sam Johnston
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| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Yukon for Campbell | |
| In office May 13, 1985 – October 19, 1992 |
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| Preceded by | Dave Porter |
| Succeeded by | riding dissolved |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 20, 1935 Teslin, Yukon, Canada |
| Political party | Yukon New Democratic Party |
Samuel Timothy Johnston, also known as Sam Johnston, is an important leader and politician from the Yukon territory in Canada. He was born on November 20, 1935. Sam Johnston is known for his work in his community and in the government.
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A Leader for His Community
Sam Johnston was born in Teslin, Yukon, a community in the Yukon territory. He went to school in Carcross. In 1983, he married Kelly Ruth Hyatt.
Before becoming a politician, Sam Johnston was a strong leader for his people. He served as the chief of the Teslin Tlingit Council for many years, from 1970 to 1984. This role meant he helped make important decisions for his community.
Serving in Government
In 1985, Sam Johnston became a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Yukon. This is like being a representative in the government for a specific area. He represented the area called Campbell. He was part of the Yukon New Democratic Party.
During his time in the Legislative Assembly, Sam Johnston was chosen for a very special role. He became the Speaker for the assembly. The Speaker is like the referee in a debate; they make sure meetings run smoothly and everyone follows the rules. Sam Johnston held this position from 1985 to 1992. He made history as the first Indigenous Canadian to serve as a legislative speaker anywhere in Canada.
In the 1992 election, Sam Johnston ran again but was not re-elected. He was defeated by Willard Phelps in a new electoral district called Ross River-Southern Lakes.
Beyond Politics
After his time in the Legislative Assembly, Sam Johnston continued to contribute to his community in other ways. He served as the chancellor for Yukon College from 2004 to 2008. The chancellor is a ceremonial leader of a college or university.
Sam Johnston also has a passion for sports. He competed in archery at the North American Indigenous Games. He also shared his knowledge and skills by coaching at both the North American Indigenous Games and the Arctic Winter Games. For his contributions to sports, he was inducted into the Sport Yukon Hall of Fame in 2003.
Honored for His Contributions
In 2019, Sam Johnston received a special honor. He was made a member of the Order of Yukon. This award recognizes people who have made outstanding contributions to the Yukon territory. It shows how much his work and dedication have meant to the people of Yukon.
