Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
James Selam papers, 1986
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Selam, James
- Title
- James Selam papers
- Dates
- 1986 (inclusive)19861986
- Quantity
- approximately 0.23 cubic feet (1 box)
- Collection Number
- 2696-054 (Accession No. 2696-054-01)
- Summary
- Linguistic research and documentation on the Sahaptin language created by a Jacobs Research Funds grant recipient
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Access restricted: For terms of access, contact University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.
Records stored offsite; advance notice required for use.
- Languages
- English, Sahaptin
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
James Selam (b. December 26, 1919 - d. February 28, 2007) was born in Rock Creek, Washington. He served in the U.S. Army from 1940-1946 and was a visiting lecturer of American Indian Studies Center in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Washington. He was also a consultant at the Burke Museum and an instructor at the North Cascades Institute. He was a native Sahaptin speaker and spiritual leader of the Yakama Nation and other surrounding tribes in the North West, and chaplain for many military graveside services.
[Information adapted from James G. Selam memorial; Source: findagrave.com; Date Accessed: 08/09/2023]
Historical BackgroundReturn to Top
The Sahaptin are a number of Native American tribes who speak dialects of the Sahaptin language. The Sahaptin tribes inhabited territory along the Columbia River and its tributaries in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Sahaptin-speaking peoples included the Klickitat, Kittitas, Yakama, Wanapum, Palus, Lower Snake, Skinpah, Walla Walla, Umatilla, Tenino, and Nez Perce.
Tenino refers properly to the westernmost Sahaptin-speaking village of the Columbia River Sahaptin dialect group, not to any larger “tribal” confederation. The Sahaptin-speaking groups on the Warm Springs Reservation were separated by treaties from their close kin; those who lived on the north bank of the Columbia River were assigned to the Yakama, while those living upriver came to be designated Umatillas.
[Information adapted from “Western Columbia River Sahaptins” (1998) by Dr. Eugene S. Hunn and David H. French; Date Accessed: 08/09/2023]
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Preliminary atlas of Columbia River Sahaptin Indian geography (photocopy) developed by James Selam and Dr. Eugene Hunn, 1986; Gazetteer of Sahaptin place names, 1987; Sahaptin translated texts, 1986; and JRF grant application.
Places studied in the greatest detail were the lower Klickitat River, the Dalles, the Celilo Falls area, Alderdale, and the sacred mountain Laliik. Extensive information on Sahaptin place names and phrases connected with camping, root and berry gathering, hunting, and fishing places along the Columbia River; obtained from interviews with tribal elders who grew up along the river between 1910 and 1940. Sahaptin speakers who contributed to this research project include Elsie Albert Selam, Sara Quaempts, Howard Selam, James Selam, Inez Isidore, and Sally Buck.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
Forms part of the Jacobs Research Funds linguistic research collection.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Selam, James (creator)
Corporate Names
- Jacobs Research Funds (creator)
