08/25/2021
It's the National Parks birthday today! Let's celebrate 🥳
As the original stewards of these lands it’s necessary that Native people have an active role in managing our National Parks as these were once the home of many Indigenous peoples and are still sacred sites.
That’s why on , we are celebrating the historic nomination of Charles Sams III to head the National Park Service. If confirmed, Chuck will be the first Native American to ever be the director of the National Park Service.
Chuck Sams is Cayuse and Walla Walla and a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, where he has held several positions. In a statement released Friday, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) expressed their support of President Joe Biden’s nomination of Chuck Sams to head the National Park Service.
"Chuck Sams is among Oregon's finest, and I can't think of a better person for the important role of National Park Service Director. I have worked closely with Chuck for many years, and have witnessed firsthand his unparalleled devotion and service to his Tribe, our state, and our nation,” wrote Oregon Governor Kate Brown in a statement.