Doug Sam

Douglas Sam, 80-year-old resident of Onamia, MN passed away on Sunday, November 20, 2016, at the Mille Lacs Long Term Care Center in Onamia, MN. A Funeral Ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 23, 2016, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Community Center on the Mille Lacs Reservation with Lee Staples officiating. Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Community Center on the Mille Lacs Reservation. Interment will be in the Vineland Burial Grounds. Douglas Sam was born in Isle, Minnesota to Fred Sam, Sr. and Maggie (Noonday) Sam. At an early age the family moved to the Vineland area, where he grew up. In 1954, he graduated from Onamia High School and worked in Aitkin for a while before moving to California under the Federal Urban Relocation Program. Doug worked there several years and returned home. He was the former Secretary-Treasurer for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Big Money Bingo Operation manager, and shift manager at Grand Casino. He was currently working at the District 1 cultural grounds. Doug helped bring Midewin cultural activities back to the grounds. Visitors now come from all over the country to participate in ceremonies. Doug will forever be remembered for his willingness to share the things he's learned with anyone who was interested. He will be greatly missed by all. Douglas Sam is survived by his children Marsha Sam, Doug R. Sam (Ginger), and Mickey Sam (Phil); grandchildren, Randy, Sr., Lance, Sr., Dale, Jr., Jasmine (Windy), Christine, Adrian, Sr., Marcus, Sr., Rachel (Waylon), Anthony, Sr. (Chasity), Craig, Sr. (Kiana), Arielle (Nick), April, Sierra, Tess, Dallas, Nadine (Brandon), Falon, Charlotte (Cory), Phillip, Jr., and Whitney (Les); And many great- (great great) grandchildren. And his we’eh Susan. Douglas was preceded in death by his parents, Maggie and Fred Sam, Sr.; wife, Christine Sam; sister, Beatrice; brothers, Donald Sam, Ronald Sam, Bruce Sam, Fred Sam, Jr.; children, Dallas Sam, Rebecca Sam, Doran Sam, Maxine Sam, Joseph Bastedo, Sr.; grandchildren, Ross Ballinger, Serena Sam, Great-grandchildren Ra-Quel Sam, Tila Ballinger, Memorie Ballinger.

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Doug Sam

March 7, 1936 - November 20, 2016