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 federally recognized 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.
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.
The Boldt decision of 1974 was the result of sacrifices made by Native fishers and their families who were jailed and beaten while defending their rights.
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.
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
