The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe

The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is a Federally Recognized Indian Tribe composed of descendants of the Duwamish and Upper Puyallup Peoples who inhabited Central Puget Sound for thousands of years before non-Indian settlement.

We are Muckleshoot,
the First People of Seattle

Our Duwamish and Upper Puyallup ancestors were the first caretakers of the Puget Sound region. Like Muckleshoot Tribal members today, they lived in the area that is now Seattle as well as in communities throughout the Duwamish River drainage.

An aged, black and white photo of a Muckleshoot man standing on a wooden canoe on the water. He holds a long paddle in the water.


As a sovereign Tribal nation led by an elected council, we actively invest in our community, sustain our environment, and contribute to the regional economy. The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is one of South King County’s largest employers, supporting 3,300 direct jobs and providing hundreds of millions of dollars to the regional economy.

Our people have always depended on rivers, forests, and seas. We hunted and gathered on the land and fished the waterways. We have always seen ourselves as part of the land, not owners of it, and we treat our environment with care and respect. Our commitment to protecting our people and communities brought us through the Tribe’s darkest times and continues to guide us today as we move into a new era of prosperity and empowerment. Our dedication to grit, self-reliance, securing our rights, and upholding our sovereignty has never been stronger.

in the news

From 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.

April 2025
Edition

Investing in Our Tribal Community

The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe believes in supporting the community – and it puts its resources behind those convictions.

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April 2025
Edition

Working Together to Keep Our Culture Alive

This winter, as it has since before anyone can remember, the sweet smell of alder smoke filtered through the air above our village as the community came together to preserve salmon with the ancient “hard smoke” process.

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April 2025
Edition

Pro Soccer Honors Salish Sea Weavers

Reflections of ancient weaving traditions are visible on Seattle’s pro soccer pitch in the form of the Seattle Sounders FC's new uniforms this year.

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From the Muckleshoot Messenger

April 2025
Edition

Investing in Our Tribal Community

The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe believes in supporting the community – and it puts its resources behind those convictions.

read article
April 2025
Edition

Working Together to Keep Our Culture Alive

This winter, as it has since before anyone can remember, the sweet smell of alder smoke filtered through the air above our village as the community came together to preserve salmon with the ancient “hard smoke” process.

read article
April 2025
Edition

Pro Soccer Honors Salish Sea Weavers

Reflections of ancient weaving traditions are visible on Seattle’s pro soccer pitch in the form of the Seattle Sounders FC's new uniforms this year.

read article
April 2025
Edition

A Message from Tribal Council About How Recent Federal Government Actions Affect Indian Country

Tribal Council is actively engaged on the recent actions from D.C. and will continue asserting our treaty rights and trust obligations with our federal partners to ensure that Muckleshoot’s voice is heard.

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