Charles Sams

Charles Sams, the first Tribal citizen to head the National Park Service, discusses his mission to enhance collaboration with Indigenous peoples in managing national parks. He emphasizes the importance of integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge into modern practices. Sams shares how federal guidance promotes tribal co-stewardship, showcasing successful partnerships at parks like Yosemite and the Grand Canyon. He reflects on his roots in the Cayuse and Walla Walla tribes, highlighting the personal significance of public lands and the urgent need for inclusive narratives in conservation.