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:
Meet April Brown-Marter, Ashleigh Kilgore, and Jeffrey A. Plancich, MA, LMHC ─ three new employees at the Muckleshoot MindCare Clinic and Behavioral Health Program.
After many long months – even years – of preliminaries, the2023 Canoe Journey To Muckleshoot: Honoring Our Warriors began in earnest when an estimated 250-300 visitors filled a casino banquet room to capacity on Saturday, January 21, 2023.
The prestigious Muckleshoot Gold Cup Indian Relay Race Championships have been confirmed for Father’s Day Weekend, June 16-18. There are several relay race championships in the West, but none is farther west than this one!
After four consecutive elections where all three incumbents were sent back for another term, the Muckleshoot Tribal Council now has a new member. He is Leeroy Courville Jr.,who is proudly following in the footsteps his late father.
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.
Official Government Website for the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
© Muckleshoot Indian Tribe 2026
