SEQUIM – Elaine Grinnell, 71, had a shock upon opening a letter recently.
“I read it twice and gave it to my husband and said, ‘What do you think of this?'” said Grinnell, a Jamestown S’Klallam elder, storyteller and cook.
Grinnell, a lifelong resident of Sequim, received the 2007 Governor’s Heritage Award this month.
The honor, bestowed by the governor each year since 1989, highlights Washingtonians who contribute to the state’s cultural and creative riches.
Grinnell received the award for her work as a storyteller and teacher of Native American drum-making, cooking and basketry, said Mark Gerth, spokesman for the Washington State Arts Commission (www.arts.wa.gov.)
Grinnell said she was delighted but surprised by the recognition.
“A person goes about her business, doing what she likes to do. I’m having so much fun,” she said.
“This really hasn’t sunk in,” though the letter from the arts commission arrived Dec. 15.
In early 2008, Gregoire will host a ceremony saluting Grinnell and the other Heritage Award recipients, Skokomish artist Pete Peterson and Skye K. Richendrfer, a bagpiper and director of Mount Vernon’s Celtic Arts Foundation.
The award has no financial component, but includes a certificate and an original piece of art presented by the governor.
Meantime, Grinnell will enjoy a Christmas crab feast and some of her favorite food, salmon.
“Having my large family around me, that’s the best thing,” she added.
“Everybody works with me, especially my husband, Fred,” she said.
Grinnell and her spouse of 47 years have three grown children and nine grandchildren.
Grinnell likes to tell stories that mix life lessons – on caring for one’s neighbors and for the natural world – into the entertainment.
She’s also taken care to teach others how to fillet and bake salmon – and spin a juicy tale after dinner.
“I enjoy hearing all the fish stories,” she said.
