By Nate Bisson
64 tribes from across the country competed in this year’s 5th annual Battle of the Nations basketball tournament located in Spokane, Washington. On April 4th, teams met at Spokane Casino for mandatory check-ins, followed by a grand entry ceremony and live drawing for game times.
The grand entry started with an honoring of flags by Indigenous Veterans, followed by songs and dances as all tribes were introduced and welcomed onto the floor.
This basketball tournament is very unique in that Tribal members can only play with the tribe they are enrolled in. Tribal IDs are verified at check ins on the first day. The tournament director and creator is Spokane tribal member Jerry Ford Redbone.
On April 5th, Muckleshoot faced off against Skokomish in the first round and won by more than 20 points. Next, we battled against Blackfeet Nation and won by 20 as well.
On April 6th, we fought hard against Lapwai Nation, but came up short losing by 10. Lapwai ended up finishing 4th place in the tournament. Our final game was also on April 6th, we played a very tough Coeur d’Alene Tribal team and lost.
Out of 64 Tribal Nations, Muckleshoot finished in the top 16 teams in the country. We’re hoping to return next year and improve our ranking.
WINNERS:
MUCKLESHOOT TEAM ROSTER:
The Port of Seattle and Muckleshoot Indian Tribal Government signed a Memorandum of Agreement on June 29, 2023 that will expand their government-to-government relationship, including regular and structured communication between leadership.
Our very first Canoe Journey since before COVID! On July 30th, around 100 canoes will be landing at Alki Beach in Seattle as Muckleshoot hosts the Inter-Tribal Canoe Journey for the first time since 2006!
Testimonies by the Chairman and Vice Chairman touched on the significance of regional waterways to the Tribe, and the exciting opportunity to educate the public about Muckleshoot heritage and sovereignty through the Seawall Project.
Major accomplishments for the Tribe this year include protecting Tribal gaming, advancing efforts to address MMIWP, and securing state investments in local infrastructure projects in and around the Muckleshoot Reservation.
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