Mackenzie Grinnell, the First Friday Speaker Series presenter, will give an online talk about belonging to a culture and community. (Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Historical Society)

Mackenzie Grinnell, the First Friday Speaker Series presenter, will give an online talk about belonging to a culture and community. (Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Historical Society)

October First Friday Speaker Series

Tribal member to speak about what it means to belong to land

PORT TOWNSEND — Traditional foods, local cider and feeling connected: These topics will come together Friday night.

In the October First Friday Speaker Series talk at 7 p.m., Mackenzie Grinnell, a Jamestown S’Klallam tribal citizen, will delve into what it means — for him — to belong to the land.

His talk, hosted by the Jefferson County Historical Society, will be online via JCHSmuseum.org under the Education and Programs menu. Advance registration is necessary on the website, and admission is a suggested $10 donation.

In addition to livestreaming, the program will be recorded and made available on the website for later viewing.

Grinnell works with his tribe’s Traditional Foods & Culture Program, which recently won the North Olympic Land Trust’s 23rd annual nəxʷsƛ̕əy̕əkʷáʔnəŋ of the Year award. The Klallam word nəxʷsƛ̕əy̕əkʷáʔnəŋ, meaning gatherer of food, is used instead of farmer to reflect the program’s focus on traditional practices.

Grinnell, whose Klallam name is ƛ̕ əw’cen, said he looks forward to talking about what it means to belong to a place.

“Part of that is being indigenous,” he said, “and learning from my grandma,” Jamestown elder Elaine Grinnell.

“It’s also about being part white,” and starting a business, Two Hooligans Cider.

At their plant in Sequim, Grinnell and his business partner Jaiden Dokken make cider with gleaned apples from across the North Olympic Peninsula.

All year, the First Friday Speaker Series has highlighted an “art of making” theme; Grinnell’s talk will bring a relatively new cider company into the mix. He will also explore ways to build a more welcoming community through the sharing of local cider and of traditional foods.

The historical society describes the discussion as an evening of juxtaposition — of cultures and experiences.

“Hopefully we can all walk away with more curiosity and a sense of agency to make our community a place we can all belong,” the historical society invitation reads.

“I hope people come and ask questions,” Grinnell added.

“We all live here, and we all need to figure out how to live together — and come together, like we used to.”

The final First Friday Speaker Series program, set for Nov. 5, will spotlight boatbuilding and functional art with Bruce Blatchley. For details about this and other historical society offerings, see JCHSmuseum.org or phone 360-385-1003, or visit the Jefferson Museum of Art & History at 540 Water St.

________

Jefferson County senior reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3509 or durbanidelapaz@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in Entertainment

Timeless Treasures to feature dolls, toys this weekend

The Olympic Peninsula Doll Club will present Timeless Treasures from… Continue reading

One-man sci-fi adventure to perform at Field Hall

Sinking Ship Productions and Theatre in Quarantine will present… Continue reading

Dainius Vaičekonis will perform Saturday on the Schimmel grand piano at Grace Lutheran Church in Port Townsend.
Piano soloist to perform during Art and Our Schimmel Grand series

Dainius Vaičekonis will perform Godowski’s Java and Tirakontameron suites… Continue reading

Rock concert set for Quilcene Lantern

Live Life Loud will present the Heavy PNW Rock Concert… Continue reading

Zak (Zack Gottsagen) and Tyler (Shia Labeouf) near the raft they built together to travel by water. (Port Townsend Film Festival)
Nonprofit to screen film with insights into their work

Port Townsend Film Festival, Olympic Neighbors partner for movie

“Floral Flight,” a digital painting by Larry Davidson, the artist of the month at the Port Ludlow Art League.
Reception set Wednesday for artists of the month

The Port Ludlow Art League will host a reception… Continue reading

Port Angeles textile artist Merrie Jo Schroeder, installing the “Beatlemania” walk-by exhibit at 675 Tyler St., Port Townsend. The display of Beatles memorabilia and Beatles-themed art quilts and textile pieces will continue through November.
Fiber artists install Beatles walk-by exhibit

Peninsula Fiber Artists have installed “Beatlemania: 60th Anniversary,” a… Continue reading

Tom Melancon will perform at Candlelight Concerts on Thursday evening.
Melancon to perform at Candlelight Concerts

Tom Melancon will perform during a Candlelight Concert at… Continue reading

Sequim photographer Randy Tomaras points to a photo featured in his two-volume course “It Is NOT the Camera.” Tomaras’ home studio will be featured in the Strait from the Artists Studio Tour today and Sunday. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim artist looks for life outside of frame

Photographer will be part of Strait from the Artists tour

Sue Ritter Milling’s quilt, “Ole,” is part of the exhibit “Find Your Story” opening at Bayside Gallery on Sunday.
Bayside Gallery to host reception for ‘Find Your Story’

The Bayside Gallery will host a reception for the… Continue reading

Caitlin Warbelow will perform Tuesday evening at Rainshadow Recording on Fort Worden.
Warbelow, Ranney to perform at Rainshadow Recording studio

Caitlin Warbelow will perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Warbelow,… Continue reading

The Black Ends to perform at Quilcene Lantern

The Black Ends will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday. The… Continue reading