Johnnie Selam

Johnnie grew up on the Warm Springs Reservation from the Hollywood area. He moved to the Culpus ranch and lived with uncle and aunt Harold & Effie. Later rejoining his brother and sister at Ida McKinley ranch, Eagle Butte. After several years in boarding school at Warm Springs he moved to the Yakama Valley and lived with his father James Selam. While growing up he learned many different teachings, both in the physical world and spiritual realms. He rode horses from a very young age in all ranges of use, cattle riding, chasing wild horses, and rode the racing ponies for Claude Puckett at various fairs and rodeos. He played all sports, basketball, football, and was a team member of the “Satus Lil Hot Dogs,” as well as being a fisherman & hunter for his family and the people. He was a dancer for each and every ceremonial calling. He was a war dancer, hoop dancer and could sing washat, pow wow, hand drum, peyote, medicine songs and could karaoke with the best when he was “feeling his oats.” Johnnie was best known for all his years of wildland firefighting on the Ft. Hall Hotshots. He was a crew boss and singled out in a newspaper article for his accomplishments there. He continued the firefighting when he returned to the Yakama Reservation in his later years. Even while struggling with faltering health and body injuries he continued faithfully to attend sweat each and every time he could. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Johnnie Selam, please visit our flower store.