By Katie Manzanares

Muckleshoot Tribal Council leaders met with Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson at the state Capitol this week for direct government-to-government discussions focused on priorities important to the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and its members.

Chairman Donny Stevenson, Tribal Council Secretary Jessica Garcia-Jones and Councilmember Eileen Richardson represented the Tribe during the meeting with Ferguson. Discussions included Tribal sovereignty, gaming, economic issues and other matters important to the Tribe.

The meeting provided an opportunity for Muckleshoot leaders to bring Tribal priorities directly to the governor while continuing to strengthen the longstanding government-to-government relationship between the Tribe and Washington state.

“Direct government-to-government consultation and collaboration” was at the center of the meeting, Stevenson said.

Stevenson said Tribal and state leaders discussed shared priorities and goals, including areas where continued collaboration can serve Muckleshoot members and Washington residents while building on the relationship between the Tribe and state.

Government-to-government consultation recognizes the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe as a sovereign government and provides a direct avenue for Tribal leadership to engage with state officials on decisions and policies affecting the Tribe.

The Muckleshoot Tribal Council maintains official government-to-government relationships with Washington state as well as federal, county, city and other local governments. Those relationships allow Tribal leaders to advocate for Muckleshoot interests across issues affecting the Tribe, its members, lands, resources and economic future.

Stevenson thanked Garcia-Jones and Richardson for representing Muckleshoot and for continuing to build connections with Ferguson directly.

The meeting reflects the Tribe’s continued work to protect Tribal sovereignty, advance Muckleshoot priorities and maintain strong relationships with government partners throughout the region.