My Park Story: Volunteer Sam Gennawey

Volunteer Sam talking about the fur trade in a trading post exhibit.

NPS Photo / G.M. Spoto

Hello. I am Sam Gennawey, an RV nomad who enjoys volunteering at National Park Service sites. Volunteering offers an opportunity to take an extended deep dive into a particular park’s landscape, history, and people. I was honored to be selected to work at Grand Portage National Monument.

The Grand Portage story is a compelling one. Growing up in Southern California, I was unfamiliar with the northeast Minnesota region, the fur trade, the voyageurs, and the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe). With the help of an incredibly professional team at the monument and my fellow volunteers, I gained a profound insight into the importance of this place and have been enriched by the experience. It started on my first day. The monument is nestled within the tribal land of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. When I arrived, a pow-wow was happening at the community center. I quickly hurried over and instantly fell in love with the place. Thankfully, my coworkers embraced my curiosity and helped me better understand the culture and history of the place I have been calling home.

Do I get to wear a costume at work? Yes. As a living history park, I can dress in period outfits while working in the reconstructed fur trade depot. Describing a historical period generally unfamiliar to most guests is a challenge. Our job is to help the visitor find relevance in the resources. Dressed this way takes interacting with guests to a new level. I can apply a bit of magic, removing their apprehension and turning it into awe and delight. Moments like this are why I enjoy being a volunteer.