
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.

The Muckleshoot Police Department hosted a successful National Night Out 2026 on Aug. 4, bringing families, youth, and community members together for an evening of connection and fun at the MIT Community Center.

This June marked three years since the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe opened the doors to the Community Center and Youth & Teen Center – a milestone that celebrates not just a building, but the growth, connection, and strength of our people.

On Aug. 3, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe was honored to welcome representatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board to our homelands.

U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier visited the Muckleshoot Early Learning Academy on Aug. 7, meeting with Muckleshoot leaders and staff to learn more about the Head Start program and the work being done to support the well-being of Muckleshoot children.
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!