Sam Johnston (Yukon politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sam Johnston
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|---|---|
| MLA for Campbell | |
| In office 1985–1992 |
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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 (born November 20, 1935) is a former Canadian politician from the Yukon territory. He is a member of the Teslin Tlingit Council. He also served as a leader in the Yukon Legislative Assembly.
Who is Sam Johnston?
Sam Johnston was born on November 20, 1935. He is from Teslin, Yukon, a community in Canada's Yukon territory. He was educated in Carcross. In 1983, he married Kelly Ruth Hyatt.
Early Life and Leadership
Before becoming a politician, Sam Johnston was a leader for his community. He served as the chief of the Teslin Tlingit Council. This is a self-governing First Nation in Yukon. He was chief from 1970 to 1984.
Political Career
In 1985, Sam Johnston became a member of the Yukon Legislative Assembly. This is like the parliament for the Yukon territory. He represented the area called Campbell. He was a member of the NDP.
From 1985 to 1992, he held an important role. He was the Speaker for the assembly. The Speaker helps make sure meetings run smoothly. Sam Johnston was the first Indigenous person in Canada to be a legislative speaker.
In the 1992 election, he ran again. However, he was not re-elected. He was defeated by Willard Phelps.
Beyond Politics
After his time in politics, Sam Johnston continued to serve his community. He was the chancellor for Yukon College from 2004 to 2008. The chancellor is a ceremonial head of a college or university.
Sam Johnston is also known for his love of sports. He competed in archery at the North American Indigenous Games. He also coached at these games. He coached at the Arctic Winter Games too. In 2003, he was added to the Sport Yukon Hall of Fame. This recognized his contributions to sports.
In 2019, he received a special honour. He was made a member of the Order of Yukon. This award recognizes people who have made great contributions to the territory.
