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.
Through meaningful government-to-government dialogue, we shared how Muckleshoot continues to invest in the health, well-being, infrastructure, and future of our Tribal community while strengthening partnerships that support Tribal sovereignty and growth. During the visit, the HHS delegation toured several key Muckleshoot facilities, including the Muckleshoot Health & Wellness Center, where they learned about the Tribe's comprehensive health services, such as medical care, dental and optical services, pharmacy operations, fitness facilities, and aquatic programs.
The group also visited the Behavioral Health Program building and received an overview of the services and resources available to community members. During their visit to the Behavioral Health Program, the delegation was welcomed with traditional wellness items including nettle tea, sage with a shell, and a medicinal sleep aid. Staff explained the purpose of each item and demonstrated how they are traditionally used.
We are grateful for the opportunity to work together in service to our people. Thank you, Assistant Secretary, Gustav Chiarello, for your time, leadership, and commitment to strengthening Tribal-federal partnerships.
The visiting HHS Delegation included:
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.
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Please direct Media Inquiries to Muckleshoot Intergovernmental Affairs.
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