Kurt Grinnell
Kurt Grinnell was a proud descendant of Chief Chetzemoka, who was one of the signers of the Point No Point Treaty, and a beloved member of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. As a strong advocate of Tribal food security and sovereignty, he recognized that aquaculture– whether shellfish, finfish, or plants such as algae– is a necessity for many Tribes of the Pacific Northwest if they are to continue to harvest seafood in their usual and accustomed areas, as guaranteed under Federal Treaties. He also viewed aquaculture through the lens of his Tribe’s cultural value of planning “Seven Generations Ahead”, meaning that action should be taken with deliberation and consideration for the impact that action will have on the seventh generation into the future.
Kurt and his wife and business partner, Terri Grinnell, were pioneers in the Tribe’s aquaculture program, including shellfish spat and finfish production. They were both involved in research and development to produce native finfish (steelhead and black cod) and shellfish (oysters and geoducks). They worked diligently to ensure a sustainable source of native fish and shellfish species for their Tribe.
As the Vice-Chair of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Council, and as a representative in the NW Indian Fisheries Commission, Kurt was regarded as an effective peacemaker, always respectfully seeking mutually acceptable and productive solutions to conflicts and disagreements, whether between Tribes, Tribes, and government agencies, or individuals. Because of this, Kurt was also the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s representative on the Northwest Aquaculture Alliance, where he served as Vice President of the Board of Directors. He was also an active member of the National Aquaculture Association.
It is evident in his life and work that Kurt was committed to his wife and family, to his many friends, to the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, to his business partners, and to his greater community in Clallam and Jefferson Counties. Kurt was instrumental in helping to implement a drug treatment center in Clallam County (Sequim).
A life-long learner, Kurt embraced challenges and was known for his intellectual curiosity, his kindness, and his unwavering honesty and integrity. A leader in his community, well-respected by everyone he knew, Kurt Grinnell’s legacy will live on through the giving of this scholarship to Tribal members who emulate what Kurt was all about: integrity, knowledge of aquaculture, fisheries and natural resource matters, and the preservation of Tribal tradition and culture.
