The Muckleshoot Easter Weekend Sla-Hal celebration returned to the White River Amphitheatre April 3–5, bringing together families, players, and visitors from across Indian Country for a weekend of community and competition.
Throughout the weekend, the grounds were filled with songs, laughter and visiting as families gathered around the games and spent time together. Saturday’s main stick game tournament drew large crowds as teams competed for cash prizes, while open games continued throughout the weekend.
Sla-Hal, also known as the stick game or bone game, has been played by the Muckleshoot people and other Coast Salish Tribes since time immemorial. Long before modern casinos, the game was one of the earliest traditional forms of gambling among Native people and continues to bring communities together.
Topping things off was Sunday morning’s Easter egg hunt, which brought smiles to all the youth.
Photos from the weekend captured moments of competition, celebration and families enjoying time together during another successful Easter Weekend Sla-Hal gathering.
Muckleshoot Tribal Council is closely monitoring actions coming from D.C. and listening to the concerns of our people. This month, Muckleshoot Tribal Council sent a delegation to Washington, D.C. to carry your voice to key politicians.
The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe believes in supporting the community – and it puts its resources behind those convictions.
This winter, as it has since before anyone can remember, the sweet smell of alder smoke filtered through the air above our village as the community came together to preserve salmon with the ancient “hard smoke” process.
Reflections of ancient weaving traditions are visible on Seattle’s pro soccer pitch in the form of the Seattle Sounders FC's new uniforms this year.
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
