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!

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Vol. XXVI, No. 4

October 2025

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About the Muckleshoot Messenger

The Muckleshoot Messenger is a Tribal publication created by the Muckleshoot Office of Media Services. Tribal community members and Tribal employees are welcome to submit items to the newspaper such as news, calendar items, photos, poems, and artwork.


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