Our Duwamish ancestors were this land’s first caretakers. Like Muckleshoot Tribal members today, they lived in Seattle and communities between the Cascade Mountains and Salish Seas. As a sovereign Tribal nation led by an elected council, we actively invest in our community, sustain our environment, and contribute to regional economy.
Our commitment to protecting our people and communities brought us through the Tribe’s darkest times and continues to guide us today as we move into a new era of prosperity and empowerment. Our dedication to self-reliance, securing our rights, and upholding our sovereignty has never been stronger.
Following the Muckleshoot Reservation’s creation in 1857, the Tribe became known as Muckleshoot, rather than the historic tribal names of their Duwamish and Upper Puyallup ancestors.
Our Elders pass down skills and knowledge to our children ─ teaching them to carve, paint, weave and protect the touchstones of our past. Watch and listen as Tribal Members share memories, mastered artforms, and cultural roots.
The Muckleshoot language is a dialect of Puget Salish, or whulshootseed. It belongs to the eastern Puget Sound group along with Nisqually, Puyallup, Suquamish, Duwamish, Squaxin, Stillaquamish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish, Snohomish, and Skajit. In addition, many Lummi, Nooksack, and Twana also knew the language.
Land acknowledgment is a traditional custom that has been historically used by many Native communities. We welcome community members (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) to use our approved statements in local meetings, events, and other gatherings!