I am so pleased to have an opportunity to reflect and share an important message regarding Tribal Canoe Journey 2026 that I find so incredibly fitting and appropriate in dealing with an incredibly difficult time, challenge and loss suffered by the hosting Tribal Nation, Nisqually, during the heart of their responsibilities hosting protocol. This is especially meaningful given the strength, grace, character and resilience their leadership and people showed throughout.

For every sunrise… there must also come a resulting sunset. This is the way of our world, a natural part of the cycle of all things and exactly as our Creator intends…

This doesn’t make the end of a day’s light feel any less like a loss, but it does allow us to appreciate the beauty of its radiance and brilliance as it comes to its natural end.

Hands raised in love, support and respect as we received formal notice of the profound loss our host Nation, Nisqually, suffered during the hosting of Tribal Canoe Journey 2026. The passing of their own honorable Chairman, Ken Choke, who crossed over on his final journey during hosting and protocol. May the Nisqually Nation, Chairman Choke's family and all those impacted feel the glow and bask in the splendor of the warmth his remaining light leaves behind with all of us… especially relevant in that unique and sacred moment, where so many were present on the Nisqually lands and directly touched by the si?ab's influence and people.

It was beautiful and appropriate following such profound loss that it then became our turn to help light up the darkness for the Nisqually Nation and the family of sqʷaliʔabš siʔab… As Indian people, we know it is our responsibility to carry this work in a good way, and it was done with honor and a sacred intent. This is what ceremony is truly all about.

This was also my direct and resulting pride and gratitude as our Muckleshoot Canoe Families took the floor immediately following learning of this profound loss. We were able to honor the Nisqually people, their leader, Chairman Choke, and his family through our collective culture and way of life. The beauty and power of this moment coupled with the grace and spirit of our people in it is a memory I will carry with me forever and always cherish.

I was so incredibly proud to represent and lead Muckleshoot as a direct result of the way our people carried themselves and honored our Nisqually relations in the heart of an incredibly difficult and challenging day. The strength and character displayed are who we really are as Muckleshoot people, and our ancestors were present, watching and proud... I have no doubt.

All of our love, support and intention from Muckleshoot to the host Nation and people, Nisqually. It was an honor to be able to address this directly to the Nisqually people on the floor of their house during Tribal Canoe Journey protocol, and it remains one now, as we help to hold them up through the difficult days which we've already shared and, just as importantly, those yet to come.

Thank you to our Muckleshoot Canoe Family and Black River Canoe Family for representing Muckleshoot in a good way with good hearts.

Thank you to all who attended and shared in the beauty and strength of Indian canoe and potlatch culture.

Thank you to Nisqually, our host Nation, for your hospitality, generosity and kindness... especially through the loss, grief and mourning.

I am so grateful and my heart is full as we continue to come together for Tribal Canoe Journey annually, reclaiming our identity and (re)building our Tribal Nations through ceremony, culture and connection.

‍

Donny Stevenson

Chairman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe