Jefferson Greene (Warm Springs) is a traditional artist and advocate for the Warm Springs native language. Greene began learning Warm Springs traditions as a child from his grandmother, Sasawaipum, who taught him to sing, dance, and tell traditional stories.
Bio
Jefferson Greene is an artist and advocate for language and traditional art at the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (CTWS). Green’s grandmother, Verbena “Sasawaipum” Greene, taught him to sing, dance, and tell traditional stories. Over the years, many tribal members have continued the traditional education his grandmother began. Greene’s aunt used to speak Sahaptin or Ichishkíin S í nwit, a Warm Springs dialect, which he is dedicated to speaking and teaching to other tribal members. When Greene was an adult, elder Maxine Switzler taught him beadwork. Basket maker Natalie Kirk taught him to weave single twined baskets. Male tribal members taught Greene to make and play hand drums. Among his many pursuits, Greene has been a main force in revitalizing the canoe tradition at Warm Springs. Greene persuaded the CTWS to buy a canoe so that a tribal group could participate in the Northwest Tribal Canoe Journey in 2010 and 2014. At present, Greene teaches language and traditional arts for the CTWS Culture Department.
