NEAH BAY — About 1,200 to 1,500 people from throughout the Pacific Northwest are expected Saturday at the funeral of Lester Greene, 72, a leader within the Makah tribe and Northwest tribal community.
Among those expected are Mike Gregoire, Gov. Chris Gregoire’s husband, Lt. Gov. Brad Owens and representatives of tribes from as far away as western Canada.
Mr. Greene was a lead singer, a dancer and drummer who spent his life helping the Makah and other tribes connect to their histories and cultures, his son C. Wade Greene said Thursday.
Mr. Greene was preparing to go to a rededication of the longhouse at Evergreen State College in Olympia when he died at a home in the Shelton area from a heart attack Oct. 17.
“He was passionate about all of the tribes,” his son said.
“He honored any invitation, whether it was over the phone or a gathering — he spent a lot of his time traveling to drum practice or to help a group learn a song or if they needed help learning a dance or needed gear or help planning.
“He was so adamant about all of the finer points and about teaching people how to carry themselves and support their chief.”
He said his father was one of the hereditary chiefs of the Makah.
Saturday’s funeral services for Mr. Greene are set for noon in the gymnasium at Neah Bay High School, 3560 Deer St.
Viewing will begin at 10 a.m., also in the gymnasium.
A big shadow
“He really cast a big shadow in the inter-tribal community in the Pacific Northwest and beyond,” said Micah McCarty, Makah tribal vice chairman.
“He is a fine example of the continuity of our culture as Makah people. He did a great job of grooming his sons to carry on that tradition.”
C. Wade said his brother, Keith, Mr. Greene’s eldest son, will assume his father’s leadership role.
“And I’m the artist and lead singer — I’ll carry on that tradition.
“He was such a proud grandpa.
“One of his grandchildren was born just four hours after he died.”
In addition to Keith and C. Wade, Mr. Greene is survived by sons Joe and Douglas; a daughter, Michelle Lane; 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Army veteran
Mr. Greene worked as a contractor and carpenter and was a passionate fisherman and an Army veteran.
“He went to college and was one quarter short from getting his degree in education when he was drafted and went into the Army, where he was a missile technician,” C. Wade said.
Culture and connection to family and history along with protocol were chief among his concerns, his son added.
“He went out of his way to really help out his sons and his daughter.
“He would drive and drive and drive and always be there whether it was a birthday party or flat tire — nothing was too small for him.
“He was really intent on keeping the connections to our past and to show the respect of his ancestors as well as the ancestors of other tribes.”
Mr. Greene helped the Makah and other tribes organize the annual summer tribal canoe journeys.
“He supported so many tribes and nations — he was welcome at almost any time at each one of them,” his son said.
C. Wade said he and his father often played, sang and danced at other tribes as well as other venues.
“One time we were playing at the Capital Rotunda [in Olympia] and well, we’re not very quiet,” he said.
“They almost had to shut down all the operations because everyone was watching and had to know what was going on.”
Mr. Greene also traveled to Europe in 1999, meeting people and teaching them about Native American culture.
Even at 300 pounds, Mr. Greene was a graceful dancer, his son said.
“And laughing, his best gift of all was laughter,” he said.
“He was so proud.
“He would want everyone to carry on with the teachings he blessed them with and the strength that he shared.
“He wouldn’t want anyone to stop. He would want them to just keep on going.”
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
