What does ATNI stand for?

Suniga, 79, proposed his idea to a cultural committee that is part of the Portland-based Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians.

Suniga, 79, proposed his idea to a cultural committee that is part of the Portland-based Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians.

In 2004, both the 54 Northwest tribes that comprise the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, and the National Congress of American Indians, a consortium of over 230 tribal governments, resolved that 22 states, including Washington, should include Indian law on their respective bar exams, declaring that: (I)f attorneys for the American public, particularly federal, state and local government, better understood the legal concepts of Tribal self-governance and Tribal jurisdiction, there would be fewer disputes and government -to-government dialogue would be greatly enhanced.

The Chippewas were supported in friend-of-the-court briefs submitted by the National Congress of American Indians, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and 32 individual tribes.

A veteran of the Army, he was a leading member of the Northwest Indian Veterans Association and its parent group, the Veterans Affairs Committee of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, a coalition of 43 tribes in a six-state region.

If they don't like it, that's tough," said Henry Cagey, chairman of the Lummi Indian Nation and head of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians.

It was co-sponsored by 13 groups, including Bonneville Power Administration, Washington Water Power and Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians.