Ernie Stensgar, the longtime chairman of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Idaho, resigned unexpectedly, The Spokesman Review reports.

Stensgar has served as chairman for nearly 20 years. During this time, the tribe won numerous political and legal battles on gaming, sovereignty, taxation and land. The tribe's victory in the Lake Coeur d'Alene case was the only Indian Country win before the U.S. Supreme Court in the 2000-2001 term.

Stensgar has also served as president of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, which represents 54 tribes. ATNI recently held its winter conference in February.

In 2003, Stensgar made an unsuccessful run for president of the National Congress of American Indians. He lost to incumbent Tex Hall, chairman of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of North Dakota.

Get the Story:
Stensgar out as tribe chairman (The Coeur d'Alene Press 5/10)
CdA tribal council chairman steps down (The Spokesman Review 5/10)
Note: Paid subscription required.

Relevant Links:
Coeur d�Alene Tribe - http://www.cdatribe-nsn.gov
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians - http://www.atnitribes.org

Related Stories:
Supreme Court agrees to hear tribal gas tax case (03/01)
Supreme Court takes on tribal-state tax dispute (03/01)
Pacific Northwest tribes conclude conference (02/16)
Pacific Northwest tribes oppose expansion of OST (2/9)
Coeur d'Alene Tribe wants to know impact of dam (10/01)
Non-Indians oppose Idaho tribe's jurisdiction (03/23)
Coeur d'Alene Tribe wins lake ownership case (6/19)
Supreme Court to rule on lake ownership (12/13)