Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Village Plan, Comprehensive Plan Phase 1

The Muckleshoot are descendants of the Duwamish and Upper Puyallup people of Central Puget Sound, who now make their home near Auburn, Washington. The Tribe takes pride as one of the largest employers in southeast King County and co-manager of natural resources in the area. Along with casinos, it has diversified its economic enterprises into seafood products, a tree farm, a lodge, an amphitheater and horse racing/showing.

Its new Village Plan is based on a robust tribal community engagement process, which included youth and elder design and listening sessions. The input was organized into three Village framework plans. The forest, prairie and rivers that flow from Mount Tahoma—a constant and meaningful landmark and symbol of home—are strong organizing elements of the Natural World Framework. The Connection Framework focuses on linking the natural and cultural worlds by emphasizing Muckleshoot journeys across the landscape. The Cultural World Framework evokes seasonal journeys in warm months to areas for resource gathering and maintaining connections with people from other winter villages. The Plan provides a physical layout that organizes services, facilities and zones related to governance, health, education, housing and enterprise.