A member of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, Sams is the first Native American to serve as head of the NPS.

When the tribes started a land buyback program, Sams wrote an editorial explaining how the Dawes Allotment Act of 1887 led the reservation to be subdivided and sold to white settlers.

Sams also held administrative positions at the Umatilla Tribal Community Foundation and Indian Country Conservancy.

In April 2021, Sams was appointed to serve as a member of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council by Oregon Governor Kate Brown.

[1][6] As director of the NPS, Sams has identified improving accessibility in national parks through funds allocated through the Great American Outdoors Act as a policy priority.