MUCKLESHOOT MESSENGER

October 2025

Vol. XXVI, No. 4
Muckleshoot indian reservation, wash.
October 2025
Tribal Council

Virginia Cross D.R. Hanford Award

Photo courtesy of Green River College

Auburn — In August, Tribal Councilwoman Virginia Cross was honored with the second ever D.R. Hanford Leadership Award at Green River College. This award honors visionary leaders whose impact ripples through their communities, inspiring growth and opportunity for all.

Virginia Cross has been a champion of access and education from an early age, and pioneered a number of firsts as a Muckleshoot Tribal Member. She was the only Muckleshoot student in her graduating high school class in Auburn, the first Muckleshoot Tribal Member to earn a college degree, the first Head Start Director of the Tribe, and the first Indian Education Coordinator in the Auburn School District.

Photo courtesy of Green River College

Virginia has been a councilmember of the Muckleshoot Tribe for 40 years, and has been instrumental in the Tribe's path to prosperity, and the ability to provide support for housing, healthcare, and education for Tribal Members.

Denton Hanford served on the Green River College Foundation Board for 15 years and was a devoted champion of education and community service. Denton and his beloved wife, Judy, established the Hanford Family Scholarship, which has been awarded more than 32 times over the past 15 years, empowering students to pursue higher education.

Congratulations, Virginia!

More from This Edition

Vol. XXVI, No. 4

October 2025

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More from the Messenger

October 2025
Edition

Virginia Cross D.R. Hanford Award

Tribal Councilwoman Virginia Cross was honored with the second ever D.R. Hanford Leadership Award at Green River College in August — this award honors visionary leaders whose impact ripples through their communities.

read article
October 2025
Edition

Local Native Writer Gains International Recognition for Indigenous Screenplay

Tobi Iverson Halliday, a Tsimshian and Turtle Mountain Chippewa writer based in the Pacific Northwest, is gaining national and international recognition for her debut feature screenplay, Wild Woman of the Woods.

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October 2025
Edition

Seattle Art Center Partnership

Muckleshoot's collaboration with Cannonball Arts helps bring attention to the Tribe and its ongoing support for Northwest cultural activities just a short distance from the Seattle Center.

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October 2025
Edition

White River Bridge Repairs Near Completion

It's been a long, frustrating hassle for Tribal members, students, workers, or anyone trying to come to Muckleshoot — or go home — over the White River Bridge on State Route 410 between Buckley and Enumclaw.

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About the Muckleshoot Messenger

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!


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