King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer awarded the 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service to Muckleshoot Tribal Councilmember John Daniels Jr. during a meeting on June 14.

The medal is an award given to people whose work answers the question once posed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “What are you doing for others.”

“Today we recognize John Daniels Jr. for his decades of service and dedication to improving the lives of the members of the Muckleshoot Tribe and the surrounding communities,” von Reichbauer said.

Daniels, who serves as the Muckleshoot Tribe’s Treasurer, has worked to create partnerships with local school districts, federal, state and local governments as well as community organizations, von Reichbauer said.

“I just want to say for me Dr. King, what he fought for, what he believed in, is basically what we do now, try to create opportunities for things that I didn’t have for our young people, to keep them on a good path,” Daniels said.

With Daniels’ leadership the tribe has made several successful economic developments including the Muckleshoot Casino Resort, Muckleshoot Bingo and the Big Nation Store, the release said.

In addition to the various economic projects, Daniels has also helped the tribe expand its social services such as the Muckleshoot Child Development Center, Muckleshoot Tribal School and Tribal College and a medical center, according to the release.

“From improving access to health care and education to his work establishing long-term economic engines for his community, John has dedicated his life to ensuring that tribal members, no matter their age or station in life, have the opportunity to succeed and prosper,” von Reichbauer said.

This is the seventh year each member of the King County Council has selected a person from their district to award this medal of distinction.