Sams to deliver keynote address during Opening Night Reception July 23
NORMAN, Okla. – The Indigenous Journalists Association’s Indigenous Media Conference (IMC) Planning Committee has selected Chuck Sams, a Council Member on Oregon’s Northwest Power and Conservation Council.
Sams is enrolled Cayuse and Walla Walla with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. He also has blood ties to the Cocopah and Yankton Sioux.
He is also the Director of Indigenous Programs at Yale Center for Environmental Justice and Oregon Tribes Scholar in Residence at the University of Oregon Law School.
Sams served as the 19th director of the National Park Service 2021-2025. He holds a Master of Legal Studies from the University of Oklahoma School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Concordia University. He served in the U.S. Navy 1988-1992.
IJA Board Member and co-Chair of the IJA Conference Committee, Brian Bull, said “Given Sams’ role in advocating for responsible conservation, environmental stewardship and tribal sovereignty, I’m delighted to see a representative of such traditional knowledge and executive experience come to our conference. Sams’ insights as a National Parks advocate are exceptionally timely as Native people continue to fight against climate change and overdevelopment of the land.”
Sams will speak during the Opening Night Reception of the IMC on Wednesday, Jul. 23 at The Redd on Salmon Street.
Registration
Conference registration includes a ticket to Opening Night Reception on Wednesday, July 22 at The Redd on Salmon Street, sponsored by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). Single tickets can be purchased for $50.00 online by selecting Special Events Tickets Only.
Conference registration rates, including exhibitor rates, are available on the registration website. *Special event and meal tickets are not included with full registration but are available for separate purchase.
Attendees may view the IMC26 Agenda-at-a-Glance to coordinate travel.
Hotel
Discounted group rates start at $216 USD per night and are available July 20-26, 2026, at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront, located at 1401 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97201.
Reservations can be made by clicking here to book online. Guestroom reservations must be made by June 29, 2026 to receive the discounted group room rates. After this date, guestrooms are at the best available rate.
VolunteerIMC volunteers help make the conference a success, and we encourage you to sign up to help with special events, registration and the silent auction. Slots are flexible and staff will work with volunteers to coordinate the assignment schedule closer to the event. Volunteers can indicate their interest by completing this Volunteer Opt-In Form.
