SUQUAMISH — Leaders of Native Nations from Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Southeast Alaska, Northern California and Western Montana will meet at Suquamish’s Clearwater Casino Resort on Jan. 31 to Feb. 4 for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians’ Winter Convention.
The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, or ATNI, was founded in 1953 and is a nonprofit organization representing 57 Northwest Tribal governments. According to ATNI’s website, the organization develops and pursues regional strategies “for the development, protection and advancement of the interests of member Tribes and their people in the areas represented by ATNI committees which include: cultural affairs, economic development, human and social services, natural resources and environment, Tribal governance, and ad hoc task forces.”
ATNI’s president is Fawn Sharp, president of the Quinault Nation.
The convention will open 6-8 p.m. Jan. 31 with a reception hosted by the Native American Caucus of the Washington State Democratic Central Committee. The following public officials have been invited, according to caucus Chairwoman Julie Johnson, Lummi:
— Ferndale City Council member Teresa Taylor, Lummi.
— Seattle City Council member Debora Juarez, Blackfeet.
— Bellingham City Council member Roxanne Murphy, Nooksack.
— Whatcom County Treasurer Steve Oliver, Lummi.
Native Americans running for public office in the Northwest in 2016, according to Johnson:
— Former Colville Tribes Chairman Joe Pakootas, candidate for 5th District U.S. House of Representatives.
— State Sen. John McCoy, Tulalip Tribes, candidate for reelection to 38th District state Senate.
— State Rep. Jeff Morris, Tsimshian, candidate for reelection to 40th District state House.
— Sauk-Suiattle Tribal Council member Ronda Metcalf, candidate for 39th District state House.
— Mayor Chris Roberts, Choctaw, candidate for reelection to Shoreline City Council.
— Idaho state Rep. Paulette Jordan, Colville and Coeur d’ Alene, candidate for reelection to her state’s House of Representatives.
— Tawna Sanchez, Shoshone-Bannock, Ute and Carrizo, candidate for 43rd District Oregon state House of Representatives.
— Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau, Mandan Hidatsa, candidate for U.S. House of Representatives from Montana.
