Elaine Grinnell

Renowned storyteller, basket weaver, indigenous cook and Jamestown S’Klallam Elder, Elaine Grinnell was born October 16, 1936 in Port Angeles, Washington. She married Fredrick C. Grinnell in 1960 and they had three children: Jack, Julia, and their late son, Kurt. Hawk, Nick and Mackenzie (Jack & Michelle), Khia, Michael, Sarah and Jon (Julia & Jon), Loni and Jaiden (Kurt & Terri) are her grandchildren. She now has 15 great-grandchildren, and more on the way.

Mildred Francis Prince Judson, her mother, was a full blood Jamestown S’Klallam. Harold Peter James, her father, was a full blood Lummi. Her grandparents on her mother’s side were David and Elizabeth Hunter Prince. Elaine’s great grandfather was the Pačwíɬs (Prince of Wales). Her great great grandfather, Čičməhán (Cheech-ma-han) was known as Chetzemoka, Chief of the Jamestown S’Klallam people.

Elaine was raised by her Grandparents David and Elizabeth Prince, they taught her to take a good path in life. She was taught many traditions at a young age; cooking foods for large numbers of people, to weave, and to tell stories. Elaine wanted to share: “You don’t have to be young, you can be older, your age makes no difference, when you take time to learn traditions, like weaving, it’s good for your cultural spirit.”

Elaine was a school counselor for Native Youth in the Port Angeles School District from 1967-2003, a Commerical Fisherwomen for 10 years, alongside her husband, Fred. She has many years of public speaking and traditional Story Telling in the U.S. and internationally including Africa, Japan, Australia, and Canada, and more.

Of her work, Elder Grinnell says, “It is my desire to spread the word of the S’Klallam people, their culture, legends, food, survival, coping devices, dress and social structure within the community and families. Sharing with all peoples is the way of my people. It is my intention to always honor my family and Tribe.”

Elaine is a historian, storyteller and cook. She did traditional cooking at different functions for her own tribe as well as other tribes. In addition, she has taught classes in Native American drum making, basketry and Native American cooking alongside other family members. In her storytelling, she includes legends, creation, animals and lots of fish stories.

Grinnell includes: “At my age, of 88, I’ve turned my attention to my family. I love to have my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren around. I still love telling stories, weaving, and I continue to pass down knowledge as much as I can, while spending time with my loved ones.”