PLUMMER - The Coeur d'Alene Tribe is hosting the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians mid-year conference at the Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel next week.

The conference, which starts Monday and runs through Thursday, is expected to draw hundreds of tribal leaders from Alaska, California, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada and Washington.

"The Coeur d'Alene Tribe is honored to be hosting the ATNI conference this year," said Coeur d'Alene Tribe Chairman Chief Allan. "We've got an exciting agenda for this conference. Raul Labrador will be here. Gonzaga men's basketball coach Mark Few is going to be giving a talk and women's basketball star Shoni Shimmel is a featured speaker."

Tribal leaders will discuss myriad issues, including economic development, health care, natural resources, education, trust reform and sovereignty.

"Each tribe has issues unique to our individual tribes, but it is paramount that we find common ground to unify our voices to make a difference. Only together tribes can affect real and last change."

ATNI President Brian Cladoosby referenced the organization's founder Joseph Garry message as the conference theme, "We need one another in these crucial years on Indian Affairs," Garry said in 1947. "We must plan jointly in the spirit of unity and divine guidance."

"We can all find strength in the message that embodies these powerful words and continues to hold true today," said Cladoosby, chairman of the Swinomish Tribe. "It's springtime and, as we celebrate this season of renewal, may we also be renewed of the strength needed to care for our families, our communities and, to tackle the work that lay before us."

Monday's opening ceremony begins at 8 a.m. ATNI delegates will set their agenda in dealing with the United States Congress. Idaho Congressman Raul Labrador will speak to tribal leaders at 9:30 a.m. Labrador is a member of the House Committee on Indian Affairs.

Monday night, Tony Stewart, director of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, will speak at a banquet about civil rights and the challenges Native Americans face in today's world.

On Tuesday at noon, Gonzaga University Men's Basketball coach Mark Few will speak about leadership in the casino events center. Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m., Rep. Bob Nonini will be giving a talk about the relationship between tribes and state government. Nonini is the chairman of the Idaho Council on Indian Affairs.

On Wednesday at noon, Louisville women's basketball star Shoni Shimmel will discuss her life experiences growing up on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon.

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe's information and technology director Valerie Fast Horse will speak to delegates about communication issues and the tribes' relationship with the FCC at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

ATNI is 58 years old and is the oldest regional tribal advocacy group in the country. It was founded in 1953.