WASHINGTON D.C. We weathered some storms this past month, both metaphorically and literally. As the clouds break and spring sprouts around us, we hope you and your family are prepared to welcome the land reawakening.
The news headlines have been frequent and turbulent, but the Tribal Council can share that progress was made in D.C. when President Trump signed into law a continuing resolution which funds the federal government through the end of Fiscal Year 2025. Although the funding path Congress chose keeps funding levels the same as the 2024 Fiscal Year, it prevented a government shutdown.
The budget for Indian Country is largely the same as the previous fiscal year, and we were pleased to see the Indian Health Service maintained Advance Appropriations and a continuity of service for our tribal members and community. Congress will now turn its attention to funding Fiscal Year 2026 before current funding expires in September 2025. Muckleshoot Tribal Council will continue advocating for the Muckleshoot Tribe’s sovereign priorities in this process.
Another key issue in Washington, D.C. is this administration’s work with Indian Country. In an effort to reform the federal government, President Trump issued a sweeping executive order eliminating nearly 20 previous executive orders covering a variety of disciplines.
One of the executive orders caught in the crossfire was Executive Order 14112 which aimed to reform federal funding and support for tribal nations to better embrace the federal trust responsibility and promote the next era of tribal self-determination.
The now-rescinded executive order was a large effort built by previous administrations and tribal nations and the Tribal Council is disappointed to see its recission. However, we are working with Members of Congress to urge the administration to continue engaging with tribal nations with or without the executive order. We continually communicate that these actions do not rescind the legal treaty and trust obligations or diminish our government-to-government relationship.
Tribal Council is actively engaged on the recent actions from D.C. and will continue asserting our treaty rights and trust obligations with our federal partners to ensure that Muckleshoot’s voice is heard.
We wish you all a happy and safe spring season.
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The Native American 40 Under 40 award honors Indigenous leaders under the age of 40 from across the United States who are carrying forward the work of their people through leadership, service and commitment to community.
On Saturday, Jan. 24, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe opened the Muckleshoot Athletic Center, marking a major investment in training, skill development and long-term athletic opportunity for Muckleshoot people and future generations.
On Jan. 19, the 2026 Muckleshoot Indian Tribe held its annual elections with the winning results as follows: Virginia Cross: 408; Jessica Garcia: 369; Elieen Richardson: 311. Thank you all who participated in this year’s election.
Tacoma City Ballet donated 250 tickets on December 12, to members of the Muckleshoot Tribal community offering families and youth the opportunity to experience ballet and the performing arts together.
The Muckleshoot Messenger is a Tribal publication created by the Muckleshoot Office of Media Services. Tribal community members and Tribal employees are welcome to submit items to the newspaper such as news, calendar items, photos, poems, and artwork.
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