The mission of the Preservation Program is to identify, protect, preserve, document, and manage for past, present, and future generations the spiritual, cultural, and traditional treaty rights, resources, land, and values that are inherent to the Sovereign Nation known as the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe. To achieve this mission, the Preservation Program Staff and Committee strive to ensure that the history and those lands inherently important to the Tribe are preserved to the fullest extent possible.

The Preservation Program archaeology staff work with other Tribal departments to identify and protect cultural resources before and during construction projects on the Reservation. Preservation staff alsoreview proposed developments and visit construction projects off of the Reservation, to make sure that developers follow the laws and identify and protect sites important to the Tribe throughout the Tribe’s use areas.

We conduct cultural resources surveys and document any archaeological resources we find. We develop strategies to leave important areas undisturbed, and we collect artifacts that are in harm’s way and curate them for future generations to learn from and protect.

Services Provided

• Archaeological investigations, cultural resources identification
• Assistance with consultation between state and federal agencies and the Tribe
• Archaeological monitoring during Tribal construction projects
• Photograph care and duplication
• Research assistance
• Family heirloom identification and storage
• Education of Muckleshoot history