
SEATTLE UNIVERSITY — This month, Councilmember Virginia Cross joined retired Seattle University professor Fr. Pat Twohy, S.J., to celebrate his 86th birthday and the recent publication of his latest book, syəyaʔaʔ: Coast Salish Sacred Lifeways and the Sacred Lifeways of Jesus.
Twohy dedicated a half century to share the stories, struggles, loss, and joy of Native peoples in the Northwest and was instrumental in establishing the Indigenous Peoples Institute at Seattle University.
He is the author of two other books.
Last year, Seattle University recognized Councilwoman Cross with an Honorary Doctorate degree. Cross has a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Washington and was one of Muckleshoot’s first college graduates. In the 1960s, Cross helped establish Muckleshoot’s Head Start program and served as its first director.
Twohy retired in 2023 after 50 years of working with and supporting Native Peoples.

Miss Indian World made a special visit to the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe on Nov. 7, beginning her afternoon at the Tribe’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Pierce County is recognizing Native American Heritage Month with a display of Medicine Creek Treaty flags inside the Pierce County Council Chambers.

Muckleshoot families and employees gathered on a cold November evening for the Tribe’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, an event that continues to grow in community spirit each year.

Meet two new additions to Muckleshoot Tribal Communications: Katie Manzanares, Tribal Communications Administrator, and Shayna Brown, Tribal Communications Coordinator.
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.