By Katie Manzanares

Tribal and state leaders from across Washington gathered Oct. 12-14 at Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel for the 37th Annual Centennial Accord Meeting, hosted by the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe.

The annual meeting brings the state’s Tribes together with the governor and state agency leaders to discuss issues of mutual concern. The Centennial Accord, signed in 1989, provides a framework for the government-to-government relationship between Tribal Nations and the state.

Eileen Richardson, Muckleshoot Tribal Council member, shared her thoughts about the gathering:

“There couldn’t have been a better day to begin the Centennial Accord than Indigenous Peoples Day. It was great to sit among tribal leaders from across the state of WA. Hearing everyone talk about their concerns and commitments to their people, the concerns and commitments we all have as Indian Tribes. We all have a shared responsibility and commitments to our people. When we come together in the same space to voice these concerns together it makes it much more meaningful and impactful. Governor Bob Ferguson and staff did well listening and responding to Tribes. The hope for next year is that he will be scheduled to stay the entirety of the time, rather than 1 1/2 of the 3 days.”

This year’s agenda included Governor-Tribal Leader Conversations, State-Tribal Leaders Collaboration, and a Culture Night hosted by the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe. The meeting began on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which included a panel hosted by the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe.

Gov. Bob Ferguson marked the opening of the meeting on social media, writing, “It was meaningful today to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day as we began the 2026 Centennial Accord meeting, hosted by the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe.” He said the annual meetings bring Washington’s Tribal Nations and state leaders together to strengthen their partnership.