Wilfred Armende Scott Sr.

Wilfred Armende “Scotty” Scott Sr., born on Jan. 8, 1931, passed away peacefully on Jan. 7, 2026, at his home in Lapwai, surrounded by loved ones, one day before his 95th birthday.

Memorial services will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, at the Pi-Nee-Waus Community Center, Lapwai. Funeral services will follow at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12, also at the Pi-Nee-Waus Community Center, with burial to follow at Ciwiikte Cemetery. There will be a dinner following the burial, at the Pi-Nee-Waus.

In lieu of a traditional family-written obituary, Grandpa Scotty chose to tell his own life story in his own words:

Days of early memories began with the “Sanatorium” School on the Agency Campus where I “resided” from age 6-9, living dormitory-style, marching to and from both school and the mess hall, always bringing up the rear. Third through fifth grades at Lapwai Grade School, sixth and seventh grades in Lewiston, eighth grade at Chemawal, four years at Lapwai High, graduating in 1949.

As youngsters, we wandered all over Lapwai Valley, from Spalding to Webb Road, and all the canyons and hills in between. Summers we ran or biked to the Clearwater River to swim all day long at Spalding beach. Getting our haircuts from the elders at the sweathouse. War dancing under the bleachers at Fenderson Hall in street clothes ... none of us had traditional outfits. The “we’s” included: Henry Penney, Butch Ramsey, Pete Types Jr., Larry McFarland and Felix Ellenwood.

Riding horses at Charlie White’s ... forgetting to duck while riding out of the barn and getting knocked off by the top of the barn door. Climbing the rafters at the old agency cavalry barn for egg fights with pigeon eggs. Chasing eels in Potlatch Creek. Playing “Ice Shinny” on the frozen pond next to the train bridge at Spalding. Snow sledding piggy-back from the top of the hill behind the senior citizen’s complex and ramming into a hay stack ... only way to stop. Hiding from Uncle Shine, and his whip, at Mud Springs.

As a junior at Lapwai High, I started flirting with a cute little freshman right out of Spalding Grade School by the name of Bessie Greene; dated throughout high school; modern danced to the music of the “Nez Percians.” First pair of dress pants I wore to a dance, I borrowed from my dad. War dances moved to the agency campus and an elder, David Isaac, provided two trunks full of outfits with an invitation to all of us youngsters who wanted to dance to “help yourself, boys, just be sure to put them back when you are finished.”

Bess graduated in 1951, I joined the U.S. Navy in December 1951 and we got married in March 1952. We lived at bases in Rhode Island, Delaware, California (two), Tennessee and Mississippi. I served on five ships with numerous tours to the Western Pacific including Hawaii, Midway, Guam, Eniwetok, Philippines, Palawon, Okinawa, Hong Kong, Kowloon, Japan, Taiwan, French Indo-China and Vietnam. During my tour in Vietnam (18 months) Bess participated in the Mutual Self Help Home Builders Program and built our house. She also taught at Head Start during this time, 1967-68. We, or I should say Bess, raised our six children, Venita, Wilfred Jr., James, Jeff, Dani and Lori.

After a 20-year service, I retired from the Navy in January 1972. Elected to first term on the NPTEC in May 1972. First “political” meeting I attended, a young lady told me “You don’t have a chance ... the polls show you are running in 10th place.” Uncle Gene (Ellenwood) called me aside and said, “don’t worry about it Sonny, you’ll be okay, just be yourself.” After the elections he said “always remember your people. When they come to you, listen to them.”

During NPTEC reorganization, I was elected secretary. At that time we only had a handful of employees. Connie Watters and Gladys Slickpoo handled all the administrative duties for the NPTEC. Earl Gould and Jimmy Arthur oversaw our accountant office.

Earl gave me my first piece of valuable advice. One day while he was busy with his ledgers, I interrupted and asked him a question. He didn’t even look up from his work as he replied, “go ask the Secretary, he is supposed to know that stuff.” I got the message, which was you didn’t bother Earl with dumb questions. At that time four of us shared one little office. Joanna Bear, Alta Guzman, Gladys Slickpoo and myself. During the summer of 1973, we lost our son James, age 17.

One of our biggest issues was over hunting and fishing. We were constantly harassed locally over hunting, and on the Columbia, over fishing. Dad and I were driving on the Lochsa when we met a Fish and Game vehicle. Couple miles down the highway, the vehicle caught up with us and we were pulled over. I got out, met the officer in back of our car, and he asked to see our rifles. I asked him why, and he said “you are hunting aren’t you?” I asked him what made him think we were hunting. He said “you have rifles, don’t you?” I thought, “man this guy must have x-ray vision.”

I knew he did not see any rifles as he passed us on the highway, but I didn’t see any need to argue. I got my rifle, and when he reached for it, I held it aside, opened the chamber and showed him it was empty. I did the same with Dad’s rifle, and told him that I knew his only concern was whether we had loaded rifles in the car. As a car approached, I asked him if they had rifles. He said “I don’t know” (guess he didn’t have x-ray vision after all). When I asked him to pull them over and see if they are hunting, he just shrugged his shoulders and left. That same harassment tactic is still used today.

As Niimiipuu, we must never forget who we are, or how we became who we are. We have been fortunate in our leadership, past and present. We need to respect and honor that leadership. We need to remember those who stood up in Treaty Council, and insured that certain rights were preserved. Those who attempted to avoid bloodshed, ended up giving their blood, their lives, and suffered years in exile fighting for their beliefs in 1877. Those who faced and endured incarceration over exercising their treaty rights include David Arthur, James McConville, Richard Powaukee, Ipsus-nute, and the many at Rapid River in 1979.

We need to remember and honor the approximately 400 Niimíipuu who served, and who are serving today; in the armed forces of this country. Those who gave their blood. Those who gave their lives. Those who served in captivity as prisoners of war. Those who spent years away from their families.

Those who served throughout past years and those who serve today providing service for our people, whether it be as NPTEC members, tribal employees, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Niimiipuu Health, Spalding Park, our public schools, our churches, our elders ... they all deserve recognition and our gratitude.

What has touched me most? The 1877 War Memorials we conduct throughout the year. Through all the reading and research in preparation for these Memorials, I gained a deep respect for what our ancestors went through and did. While conducting the Memorials, I have gained admiration for who our people are, what they do, and why they do it. I hope that through these memorials, our people learn a little about their ancestors and their family trees. Who they are!

Family now includes nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.

“niimíipuu ’íim ’ee wees heté’ew”

Parents:

I was born in Lewiston on Jan. 8, 1931, to the late Lyman A. Scott Sr. and Greetis Goldner. Following the death of my mother, my father eventually married Clara Ramsey. She treated me as a son throughout her lifetime. As a small child, I can recall living in Kooskia, Orofino, Lapwai and Lewiston.

Niimiipuu name

My Niimiipuu name, given to me as a very young boy, is qooqox simuux tuuluuyin, which means “the raven who plays in the black dust.”

Education

My education began at the Sanatorium School on the Agency Campus where I resided from ages 6-9. I lived in the dormitory which burned down and is formerly occupied on the site where the school softball field is currently located. Third through fifth grades at Lapwai Grade School, sixth and seventh grades were in Lewiston, the eighth grade at Chemawa, Ore., and High school was entirely at Lapwai, where I graduated in 1949. Although I have not attended for the past 45 years or so, I have accumulated approximately 100 evening class credits at Lewis-Clark State College.

Recently, as I was recalling these early years. I thought of the Sanatorium School, and wondered what it would be like to have a “reunion” of all those who lived in the dormitories and went to school there. Maybe this will generate some interest from others who were there.

Naval Career

In December 1951, I made the first most important decision of my life and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After my term was up, I decided to make a career of it re-enlisting continuously until eligible for retirement; which I did in January 1972.

Following graduation from boot camp in March 1952, the second most important decision I made was, Bess and I got married. We would live at military bases in Rhode Island, Maryland, California (two times), Tennessee and Mississippi.

I would serve on five ships with numerous tours to the Western Pacific including Hawaii, Midway, Guam, Eniwetok, Philippines, Palawon, Okinawa, Hong Kong, Kowloon, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, French Indo-China and Vietnam.

In addition to Recruit Training (boot camp) at San Diego, I would serve on eight different naval commands, and attend two service schools. While on shore duty here in the U.S., I had the opportunity to visit all parts of the country, which includes all 50 U.S. states.

Military Experiences

The first ship I served on had visited Eniwetok Atoll (Marshall Islands), and was on our return trip to Hawaii when one of the atomic bomb tests was conducted there. We experienced minor radiation “fall out” from the blast, and had to undergo radiation decontamination at Pearl Harbor.

On that same ship, we had to sail up the Saigon River to Saigon, French Indo-China, and deliver supplies to the French forces who were in battle with the communist-led Viet Minh. The French were ultimately defeated, which ended their colonization of French Indo-China. The country would eventually be divided into North and South Vietnam. A few years later the United States would become involved, and we know the ensuing history of that involvement. Over 58,000 American troops would lose their lives there, including three Nez Perce whose names are on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

While in Vietnam, I served on the staff of the Naval Forces Commander, in the intelligence branch. I arrived in country in May 1967, and departed in November 1968 for a tour of 18 months. I served during the Tet Counter Offensive in the Spring of 1968, and Counter Offensives Phase III, IV and V. In February 1968, I took my week of R&R and spent it with Bess, in Hawaii.

Recognizing and Honoring all Veterans

I am proud of my 20 years’ service. But prouder still of the approximately 400 Niimiipuu who have served this country since World War I. We must also remember and honor all those who participated in the war during the summer of 1877. The approximately 250 who were killed or wounded, the approximately 300 who are buried in unknown and unmarked graves from here to Oklahoma, Kansas and Canada. They were all warriors, every one of them, men, women and children. Those who lost their lives, those who were wounded, and those who suffered as prisoners for many years following the war.

They, the warriors of 1877, the modern day veterans, and those currently serving, must all be remembered and honored. When we honor those who served us, we honor ourselves.

Family

I am the eldest of 18 children, seven of whom are still living. I love all my children, grandchildren and their families, Venita, Wilfred Jr., Jeff, Dani and Lori. I will never forget our son James, who we lost in 1973, one week before his 18th birthday.

Advice to the young people

Make education your first priority. Regardless of what field you choose, education is the key that will open the door for you. Do not remain behind closed doors.

But if you should decide to test military life, those of us who have done so can attest that it is an honorable profession. The discipline and responsibilities bring out the best in you. I would not suggest one branch over the other. As far as I am concerned, they are all equal. The Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, National Guard. They all have the same goal ... freedom. If you love your freedom, thank a veteran. Especially those who gave their lives in order that we can enjoy that freedom.