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.
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!
On September 30, 2026, the Muckleshoot community gathered in solidarity and reflection at the annual Every Child Matters Dinner, an evening dedicated to honoring the survivors of residential and boarding schools.
Muckleshoot Indian Tribe employees took to the field on Sept. 28 for a softball game. The GS-Cemetery department came away with the win.
"[Columbus'] very own words defending and justifying his rule of cruelty and its root economy directly based in the human trafficking of young Indigenous children and girls… even in his own time, his acts were seen as evil and heinous..."
Muckleshoot Tribal Vice Chairman John Daniels Jr. joined community members, project partners, and local leaders Oct. 15 in Seattle for the groundbreaking of Rainier Rising Early Learning Center, and the Mount Baker Redevelopment.
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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