Solved Siri says "No Email"-- but have Gmail app working fine??

When I first set up my iPhone 7, I set up Gmail on the Mail app. Gmail notified me that they had their own app, so I installed that and eventually removed Gmail from the Email app. Everything seems to be working fine, gmail operates as expected.
However, when I say, "Hey Siri please send an email to Jim", I am told that "Uh oh... you don't have an email account set up yet."
"Just launch the Mail app... it will guide you through the setup process".

I told Siri to open gmail and she complies-- but even with the program open she says, "Uh oh... you don't have an email account set up yet."

Shouting, "What do you think gmail is???" has no effect---

As I said earlier, I had originally set up gmail under email--- but that caused other problems/confusions like receiving incoming email in both gmail & email--- and duplicate instances of contacts derived from both instances.

I could send everything as texts if I have cell numbers for recipients "Hey, Siri--- send a text to Jim"---- but sometimes only email is appropriate or available.

Is there a way to do what I am wanting to do with iPhone 7?? Your help would be greatly appreciated.
letchworth

 

Thank you for your reply- I think that is the route to go, seems strange to have to do it that way, but I'm new to iphones & that may just be their way of doing it.
thank you
letchworth