The Muckleshoot community filled the floor with love, laughter, and good medicine on Feb. 7 at this year’s Valentine’s Winter Powwow. From the first drumbeat to the last round dance, the day carried that unmistakable mix of joy, tradition, and unconditional love that makes this gathering so special. One of the highlights of the evening was the Sweetheart Team Dance Special, where couples, besties and anyone in between came to win or came to have fun, and all of them brought big smiles and even bigger moves. The Powwow held at the Muckleshoot Community Center offered a place to celebrate love in all its forms: romantic, platonic, cultural, and community love. It was a beautiful day to dance, honor, and share space. Until next year, may your steps stay light and your heart stay content.

The UW participated in its first Tribal Canoe Journey, with students, faculty, staff, and alums working together as a family — the Shell House Canoe Family, č̓away̓altxʷ ʔiišəd — to make it all happen.

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe’s first Coho fishery on an Elwha River unimpeded by dams in more than 100 years got underway in mid-October. Tribal member Jonathan Arakawa shares his thoughts.

Rachel Heaton shares her experience leading six other native mountaineers up Tahoma, or Mount Rainier, to increase Native visibility and raise awareness of the ancient relationship between Tahoma and the Indigenous peoples who honor her.

Read the transcription of Muckleshoot Vice-Chairman Donny Stevenson’s keynote address to a large, nearly all-Native gathering celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day after marching from Westlake Park to Seattle City Hall.
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!