Elaine Grinnell will be the featured teller at the free Story Swap, Tuesday, November 19^th at 7 p.m. in the Carver room of the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St. 

In recognition of Native American Heritage month, Grinnell will tell traditional tales of the S’Klallam people as well as personal stories. She is an elder in the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe and is fluent in the S’Klallam language. She was recipient of the Washington State Heritage Award in 2007 and was selected to participate in the Smithsonian Museum exhibit for Native American Arts in Washington D.C.

Grinnell is a local treasure and a founding member of The Story People.  She is a storyteller, master basket-weaver, and drum maker. She is the proud grandmother of 9.

Grinnell is a member of the Northwest Native Storytellers Association and has done many long trips exchanging stories in other cultures in Africa, Japan, Australia, Bangkok and many states. She was nominated to be a representative to the “Carriers of Culture” in Washington D. C. for a week to meet people from all native tribes. 

Grinnell says, “It is my desire for each person to become a ‘storyteller’ and record your life for those coming behind you. Maybe you think you don’t have anything to say, but you are so important to those in your family and your story should be told. You do not have to tell in public, but at home, driving or written in a book. Life is good!”

After a short refreshment break, there is an open mic session for anyone to step up and share a short tale. See our webpage, Guidelines for storytellers.