EUGENE–Leaders from Oregon’s nine federally recognized Indian tribal governments will meet with Gov. John Kitzhaber and other state officials in the second annual "Government-to-Government" conference, Nov. 17-18 on the University of Oregon campus.

The government-to-government process was established by executive order of the governor in May 1996. As stated in the order, its goals are to "assist in resolving potential conflicts, maximize key inter-governmental relations and enhance an exchange of ideas and resources for the greater good of all of Oregon’s citizens, whether tribal members or not."

Tribal leaders will be present from the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla, Klamath Tribe, Coquille Indian Tribe, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Burns Paiute Tribe, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw, and Confederated Tribes of Siletz.

Conference events open to the public will take place in the Ballroom of the Erb Memorial Union, 1222 E. 13th Ave., and include:

Tribal leaders and state officials will meet in a series of work sessions throughout the conference.

"The Oregon Native Initiative" is a broad-based Native American initiative at the University of Oregon. It includes resident tuition rates for members of Native American tribes whose descendants were displaced from their aboriginal Oregon homeland; plans for construction of a traditional Longhouse on the east end of campus for cultural and educational purposes; support of native language research; and maintenance and expansion of Native American collections at the UO Museum of Natural History.

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