Traditional Native American stories of the Jamestown S’Klallam

February story swap features Elaine and Ha?qwenith Grinnell

Elaine and Ha?qwenith Grinnell are dedicated to preserving and sharing traditional tales of the Jamestown S’Klallam.

Elaine Grinnell (a founding member of the Story People) and her grandson Ha?qwenith (“Hawk”) Grinnell will share Native American Stories of Our People.

Elaine is a member of the Northwest Indian Storytellers Association and has exchanged stories with other cultures in Africa, Japan, Australia, Hawaii, Alaska, 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.  Presently, she is on the Board of Directors of the Northwest Native American Basketweavers Association.

Elaine worked for the Port Angeles School District from 1967 to 2003.  With her husband Fred she exercised her treaty fishing rights for 10 years from  Neah Bay-Hood Canal, gillnetting salmon and catching crab. She was elected Grand Pioneer 2013 for the Sequim Irrigation Festival.

Elaine 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!”

Ha?qwenith (“Hawk”) Grinnell was born and raised with a traditional way of life on the Olympic Peninsula.  From clamming to cooking salmon over a fire, life seems as it should for this Jamestown S’Klallam native.  He was raised listening to his grandmother’s stories and holds his cultural identity close to his heart.  Ha?qwenith is a traditional weaver, skipper of a canoe, and a lead singer for his tribe.  He plans for the seventh generation, just as his ancestors did, to keep his culture alive.

Special Opening Tellers

Two skilled storytellers from the fifth grade of Dry Creek School will make their public debut at the story swap. Maisy and Talia are eagerly embracing storytelling under the tutelage of Dennis Duncan.