Virgil “Vic” Darrell Holt Sr

Virgil “Vic” Darrell Holt Sr. was born on October 6, 1950 in Orofino, Idaho. He was the 8th child born to Lewis and Cora Holt. He began his journey on October 16, 2024. In the early years of his youth, the family lived on the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River at Orofino. He was baptized at the North Fork Presbyterian Church at Ahsahka, ID. Vic was proud to be of the ‘asqaapoo band of Nimiipuu, and maintained his relationships with the people there throughout his life. He gave the ‘asqaapoo identity to his sons and grandchildren, ensuring they knew their familial ties.

The family then moved to Sweetwater, ID where they lived for a number of years and farmed. The farming tradition continued when they moved to Craigmont, ID. Vic’s siblings have fond memories of driving an old John Deere tractor as young boys. Ron would steer, Louie would operate the brake and clutch, and the younger boys would walk behind them picking rocks in the fields.

When Vic’s father Lewis was appointed to the Idaho Governor’s Civil Rights Commission, the family moved to Boise, ID. In 1962, he moved to Kamiah, ID. It was in 1963 he met and fell in love with Sandy Lynn Davis. Thus began their long life together. During this time he began a life trade in residential and business construction and also contracted with the United States Forest Service thinning trees. Vic graduated from Kamiah High School in 1969, and was married shortly after on July 3, 1969 at Talmaks. In 1970, Vic and Sandy moved to Spokane, WA where they lived until 1971. They moved back upon notification that the Dworshak Dam was going to inundate the land of his ancestors on the lower North Fork of the Clearwater River. Vic, Sandy, and their son Erik were the last people to see that land before it was engulfed by the newly created reservoir. This grew Vic’s advocacy for clean water, a healthy landscape, the survival of salmon and steelhead, the well-being of the four-leggeds, and the sanctity of the Treaty of 1855 with the United States. He spent the majority of the next few decades supporting leadership in their advancement of treaty rights, hulhul tamaalwit (the ancient law), and cultural lifeways.

In 1974, Vic, Sandy, and their growing family of 4 sons moved to Lapwai, ID and into a small manufactured home, fondly referred to as the Silver Dollar. It was about that time when Vic made the annual trip to the Blue Hole on the Imnaha River in Northeast Oregon with his brothers Maynard, Norman, and his father-in-law Jim Davis. It was then they witnessed the significant decrease in the salmon populations. They agreed to hold off on harvesting further until the runs rebounded. They never fished there again. Vic worked tirelessly throughout his life for salmon recovery, clean water, always remembering the loss of salmon and tamaalwit.

In 1977, the seven family members moved to Whitebird Housing #7 in Lapwai. Vic continued to work in the construction trade, as a tribal electrician, and with the Forest Service. In 1978, he took a stand with other tribal members for treaty fishing rights at the Selway Falls. Again in 1980, he would travel to Rapid River along with his wife Sandy, his father-in-law Jim Davis, and his older sons Vernon and Erik. The family took part in the peaceful fish-ins of the Rapid River Standoff. Vic’s leadership led to his picture appearing on the front page of the Lewiston Morning Tribune in an article titled “Sacred Waters”.

In 1983, Vic and his family moved to their present home where he lived out his days. During that time he continued to build bridges, government buildings, and residential neighborhoods. In 1988, he was elected to the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee, the Tribe’s governing body. While in office Vic excelled at natural resource policy, leading at the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, interacting with federal agencies, and representing the people. He was the Chair of the Natural Resources Subcommittee during the negotiation and signing of the Dworshak Mitigation Agreement.

After his service on tribal council, Vic went back to construction. He spent many years working for John Shocker with S&S Construction. Throughout Vic’s career he helped build many structures including the Wa A Yas and Kamiah bridge, the Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery, Community Sweathouse, tribal neighborhoods, and was most proud of his role in the Nez Perce Longhouse. In 2015, Vic retired from construction and began his employment at the Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO). He was very fond of the many individuals who came through the office, and especially the mentorship program. Witnessing the growth of the tribal members in the field of construction gave him great satisfaction. Vic was actively working on many projects at the Tribe, and his skills and knowledge will be missed.

Vic loved his sons, and had a special place for his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He did so much for them all, and often hid what he did from others to not show favoritism or seek attention. Vic gave his sons his passion for the outdoors. He loved to gather roots and berries, to gaff for salmon, and to hunt whitetail bucks. He was so happy to be able to hunt with his son Lewis on his recent birthday. His boys witnessed their mom Sandy outfish him many times at Ahsahka growing up. She was his world. His sun rose and set on his marriage to Sandy. Their marriage was a guide to many in the community having been together for 61 years. Vic was a guide, mentor, teacher, role model, inspiration, husband, dad, grandpa, uncle, and brother, for many people over the course of his life. He touched so many and left his mark wherever he went. 

Vic was preceded in death by his father Lewis Holt, mother Cora Holt, sisters Marceline (Richard) Anderson and Claudia (Lou) Barnes, and brothers Maynard, Ron, Levi, Norman and Ferris Ellenwood. He is survived by his brothers Lewis and David (Sarah) of Lapwai, and Adrian of Clarkston. His wife Sandy of Lapwai, and sons Vernon, Erik, Virgil Jr, James (Feather) all of Lapwai, and Lewis (Wenona) all of Sweetwater.

The dressing took place at Malcom’s Brower-Wann on Friday October 18th at 2 PM. A private family wake will take place at the Nez Perce Longhouse. The funeral will be at 10 AM at the Pi Nee Waus Community Center and officiated by Rev. Mary Jane Miles. The burial will be at the Wild Rose Cemetery in Sweetwater. A dinner will be served immediately following at the community center.