Seattle — The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe hosted a special luncheon on Nov. 18 during the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Annual Convention at the Seattle Convention Center, marking the first return of the national gathering to Washington in many years.
Delegates from Tribal Nations across the country, government leaders, and policy partners joined Muckleshoot leadership to discuss shared priorities and celebrate the strength of Tribal sovereignty.
Members of the Muckleshoot Tribal Council welcomed attendees, including Vice Chair John Daniels Jr., Treasurer Anita Mitchell, and Councilmember Leeroy Courville Jr., who represented the Tribe in hosting this year’s luncheon. Their presence highlighted Muckleshoot’s leadership role in strengthening regional and national partnerships.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson addressed the audience, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to genuine Tribal state engagement. Ferguson shared that he and his team have been taking intentional time to meet directly with Tribal leaders to better understand their needs and ensure their voices shape state policy. He also announced that he had signed Executive Order 25-10, establishing a stronger framework for all state agencies. The order mandates comprehensive Tribal consultation, sets clear engagement guidelines, expands sovereignty and cultural training for state employees, and requires agencies to incorporate Indigenous knowledge into decision making. Ferguson noted this action aligns with his first Centennial Accord as governor.
Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck also spoke, highlighting his decades of working with Tribal nations and reaffirming that advocating for Indian Country has always been central to his work and will continue to be.
The luncheon reflected the Tribe’s commitment to strong intergovernmental relationships and showed unity at this year’s NCAI conference.
64 tribes from across the country competed in this year’s 5th annual Battle of the Nations basketball tournament located in Spokane, Washington.
The 2024 Washington State Legislature wrapped up its work on March 7, following a hectic 60-day session. In addition to regular bill action and budgets, the Legislature passed three of the six initiatives certified earlier this year.
Muckleshoot has been making movies about the tribe’s efforts to protect our culture, salmon, and the habitat we all depend on – and the film world is taking notice.
The Tribal Council went to Washington, D.C. in April to press for the Tribe’s federal agenda and strengthen the Tribe’s government- to-government relationship with the United States.
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.
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