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The now-rescinded executive order was a large effort built by previous administrations and tribal nations and the Tribal Council is disappointed to see its recission.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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Chairman Jaison Elkins, Vice Chair John Daniels Jr., and Council Member Ungaro met in Washington, D.C., with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs to advocate on behalf of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe.
Reelected Muckleshoot Tribal Council members Virginia Cross, Jessica Garcia-Jones, and newly elected Eileen Richardson were sworn in April 7, 2026. We are grateful to them for their service to our community!
The annual Muckleshoot Canoe Awakening marks the beginning of the canoe season with blessings, songs, and community gathering. The ceremony honors the Tribe’s relationship with the water and the cultural traditions that guide each journey.
The Muckleshoot Messenger is a monthly Tribal publication. Tribal community members and Tribal employees are welcome to submit items to the newspaper such as announcements, birth news, birthday shoutouts, community highlights, and more. We want to hear from you!
Official Government Website for the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
© Muckleshoot Indian Tribe 2026
