Gray skies and rain didn’t stop Sla-Hal players, singers, families and spectators from filling the grounds near Muckleshoot Casino Resort for three days of competition and community Sept. 11-13.
The 2026 Muckleshoot Sla-Hal weekend brought people together for a weekend filled with songs, laughter, visiting and plenty of stick game.
Under the large Muckleshoot tents, spectators surrounded the games as singers and drummers kept songs going throughout the weekend. Players competed while friends and relatives gathered along the sidelines, catching up and spending time together.
This year’s main tournament featured a $30,000 first-place prize, followed by $20,000 for second, $12,500 for third and $7,500 for fourth. Fifth and sixth place each received $2,500.
The tournament offered 13 ways to win, including two consolation prizes, six spotlight games and a prize for the longest winning streak.
But competition was only one part of the weekend.
Sla-Hal has long been a place for Native people to gather, share songs, strengthen relationships and carry traditions forward. That spirit could be seen throughout the weekend as generations sat together around the games and the grounds remained full despite the wet weather.
The weekend culminated Sunday afternoon with the Muckleshoot Showdown between Franky Cayou, Swinomish, and Lyndon Scott, Piikani.
The Showdown capped three days of Sla-Hal at Muckleshoot and another weekend of bringing people together through songs, competition and community.
At this year’s Home Team Harvest event, the Muckleshoot Tribe contributed $50,000 to support hunger relief efforts across the region. Councilmembers Virginia Cross and Anita Mitchell attended the event on behalf of the Tribe.
Miss Indian World made a special visit to the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe on Nov. 7, beginning her afternoon at the Tribe’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Pierce County is recognizing Native American Heritage Month with a display of Medicine Creek Treaty flags inside the Pierce County Council Chambers.
Muckleshoot families and employees gathered on a cold November evening for the Tribe’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, an event that continues to grow in community spirit each 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!
Please direct Media Inquiries to Muckleshoot Intergovernmental Affairs.
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© Muckleshoot Indian Tribe 2026
