The Coeur d'Alene Tribe

09/29/2026

Congratulations to Chairman Chief Allan, who was recently honored with the 2026 NAFOA Lifetime Achievement Award, NAFOA’s highest distinction recognizing Native leaders who have dedicated their lives to strengthening their Nations and advancing Indian Country.

Chief Allan has served on the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council for 23 years, including 20 years as Chairman. Throughout his leadership, he has helped guide the Tribe in areas including economic development, education, healthcare, environmental protection, and Tribal sovereignty while representing the Coeur d’Alene Tribe at the local, state, and federal levels.

NAFOA recognized Chief Allan for his years of leadership and dedication to the Coeur d’Alene people and Indian Country.
Congratulations, Chief, on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for your continued service to the Coeur d’Alene people.

Picture from NAFOA Social Media: Pictured (left to right): Chairman Chief J. Allan (Coeur d’Alene Tribe) being presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by NAFOA Board President, Chairman Rodney Butler (Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation).

Read the full announcement from NAFOA⁠: https://nafoa.org/nafoa-honors-2026-lifetime-achievement-award-recipients-at-fall-conference/

09/23/2026

Two Honors Recognize Ernie Stensgar’s Lifetime of Leadership and Service.
September has been a month of recognition for longtime Coeur d’Alene Tribal leader Ernie Stensgar, who received two honors recognizing his decades of leadership, service to Indian Country, and commitment to his community.

On September 14, Stensgar was honored during the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) Conference in Snoqualmie, Washington, alongside three other longtime leaders for their years of service to ATNI and their work on behalf of Tribal communities throughout Indian Country.

Stensgar has a long history with ATNI, including previously serving as the organization’s president. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe continues to have strong representation within ATNI today, with Tribal members Jeanie Louie and Caj Matheson serving on the ATNI Board, continuing to represent the Coeur d’Alene people at the regional level. Rose Creek also represented the Tribe and sang to honor the leaders during the conference.

Just four days later, Stensgar received another major recognition closer to home. On September 18, he was presented with the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations Humanitarian Award for his decades of leadership and commitment to human rights.
Coeur d’Alene Mayor Dan Gookin also officially proclaimed September 18, 2026, as “Ernie Stensgar Day” in the City of Coeur d’Alene.

“Ernie is a person of outstanding integrity, passion, kindness, honesty, service to others and commitment to peacemaking,” Gookin said.

Stensgar served 45 years on the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council, including serving as Chairman from 1986 to 2004. During the ceremony, he reflected on the values that guided him throughout those years.

“It wasn’t hard to speak out against racism and what was happening in our country,” Stensgar said. “My dear mother was very spiritual, and she taught me from an early age to treat people with respect, dignity and friendship.”

Stensgar also reflected on how much life has changed during his lifetime and what he sees ahead for the generations following him.

“I’ve been there in the dirt, no water, no house, chopping wood, no electricity. I lived through that and what we have today. I lived through inadequate medical care and inadequate education,” Stensgar said. “I look at my grandkids here and I see tomorrow. I see a greater America.”

Congratulations to Ernie Stensgar on two well-deserved honors and a lifetime of service to the Coeur d’Alene people, Indian Country, and the surrounding community.

09/01/2026

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe is supporting efforts by U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson to increase federal resources addressing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons crisis and longstanding public safety and justice shortfalls across Indian Country.

“The issue has received more attention in recent years, and Congressman Simpson recognizes that serious problems require adequate funding,” Chairman Chief J. Allan told the Idaho Capital Sun. “While the focus on MMIP is critical, he also recognizes that the tragic situation is the direct result of decades of public safety and justice deficiencies across Indian Country.”

In an additional statement to Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Chief Allan adds:
“For the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, this is about protecting our people and making sure Tribal communities have the resources necessary to keep our families safe. We appreciate Congressman Simpson’s continued recognition that the federal government has a responsibility to address the public safety and justice shortfalls that have existed across Indian Country for far too long. Every missing or murdered Indigenous person represents a family and a community that has been impacted, and we have to continue working together to prevent these tragedies and ensure our people receive the same level of protection and justice as anyone else.”

The proposed federal budget includes increased funding for Tribal criminal investigations and police services, MMIP efforts, law enforcement initiatives, and forensic genealogy for unsolved cases.

Read the full story from the Idaho Capital Sun:

Idaho Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson is looking to boost federal funding to address the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons crisis.

08/28/2026

Saturday, August 29th the Distribution of the back to school bags and supplies will begin at 12pm and go until 4pm.

Next week we will be doing the back pack distribution starting Monday August 31st from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. as well as Tuesday September 1st and Wednesday September 2nd in the council chambers at the tribal headquarters in Plummer, Idaho. At this time we can only distribute bags to 6th – 12th grades. Bags for Pre-K – 5th grades will be arriving after September 8th and we will have to do different days of distribution for those grades. We will take names and phone numbers for those grades until we receive those bags. Sorry for the inconvenience. Also students will have to be registered at Lakeside and/or Tribal School in order to receive a bag. So, please get registered before picking up a bag.

Contact Andy Lansing or Kayla Gourneau with any questions.

08/02/2026

COMMUNITY NOTICE

Due to the ongoing wildfires in the Spokane area, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe is opening the Rose Creek Longhouse to anyone who has been displaced or needs a safe place to stay.

If you or someone you know has been affected by the fires and needs temporary shelter, the Longhouse is available.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with family, friends, and anyone who may need assistance during this time.

Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by the wildfires, and we hope all those affected stay safe.

07/01/2026

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe extends its appreciation to the Natural Resources Department staff, fisheries crews, and everyone who helped make the transfer and harvest possible. Their continued work supports salmon restoration efforts while providing meaningful opportunities for Tribal members to reconnect with an important part of the Tribe’s heritage.

06/18/2026

Reminder-

Take Pride In Your Tribe and the lake celebration will be happening tomorrow. The Tribal offices will be closed. Offices will reopen Monday June 22nd.

Busses will begin transporting from the Rose Creek Longhouse at 8:30a.m. and the last bus will leave the lake back to the longhouse at 4:00p.m.

If you're participating in the canoe journey, please meet at the Rose Creek Longhouse at 7:00a.m.

Bringing your own chair is encouraged as there will be limited seating.

05/29/2026

Update from Chairman Chief Allan:

“I am excited to share the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s latest business venture. We are partnering with Ahlquist to develop Peregrine – a new 920-acre industrial, commercial, and residential development in Elmore County, near the future site of the Shoshone-Paiute Resort and Casino.

The Treasure Valley is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country and this venture puts us at the center of the action.

Peregrine will create economic opportunity for our Tribal Members, bring thousands of potential customers to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes’ first resort and casino, and open doors for businesses across Idaho.

I want to make it clear Peregrine does not change our partnership with the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes. We are still fully committed to helping our brothers and sisters open and operate their first resort and casino and the permitting process is moving forward. This new investment in the region is a reflection of our confidence in our partnership and the project. We are proud to be part of what’s coming to this region, and we look forward to keeping our members updated in the weeks and months to come.”

Called Peregrine, the new mixed-use plan would support the Sho-Pai casino and thousands of new homes planned of southeast of Micron.

05/26/2026

Yesterday, we took a moment to remember and honor the brave men and women who gave everything for our country. Their sacrifices paved the way for the freedoms we enjoy, and we are forever grateful.

Thank you to all those who have served and sacrificed. Your courage, strength, and selflessness will never be forgotten.

As a community, we stand together in reflection, honoring their lives, their legacy, and the lasting impact they’ve had on all of us.

Read more: https://councilfires.com/memorial-day-for-the-coeur-dalene-tribe/

05/20/2026

U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach Visits Coeur d’Alene Tribal Reservation, Tours Tribal Programs and Community Investments.

PLUMMER, Idaho — The Coeur d’Alene Tribe recently welcomed U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach for a visit to the Coeur d’Alene Reservation, where he had the opportunity to tour several Tribal programs and see firsthand the Tribe’s continued investments in the health, wellness, and well-being of its people.

Treasurer Beach’s visit began at Marimn Health, where he was welcomed by CEO Janice Jordan and given a tour of the Tribe’s healthcare facilities. During the visit, Beach learned more about the Tribe’s commitment to providing culturally centered care and expanding services for Tribal members and the surrounding community.

The visit continued at the Coeur Center, where Wellness Services Director Peter Mahoney shared insight into the Tribe’s wellness initiatives, programs, and the work being done to support the physical and mental well-being of community members.

Beach also toured newly constructed Tribal housing developments, getting a firsthand look at the Tribe’s continued efforts to provide quality housing opportunities for Tribal members and strengthen community infrastructure on the reservation.

Chairman Chief Allan said the visit was an opportunity to showcase the progress and priorities of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.

"It was important to show Treasurer Beach firsthand the work happening here on our reservation,” Chairman Chief Allan said. “From healthcare and wellness to housing and economic development, these are investments in our people and in the long-term strength of our community. We are proud to share the progress our Tribe has made and the vision we continue to build toward. We also very much appreciate the significant role Treasurer Beach played in helping advance the final Tribal General Welfare Exclusion regulations, an effort that took many years to reach the finish line and remains an important accomplishment for Tribal communities.”

Following the reservation tour, Treasurer Beach served as keynote speaker at the America 250: Investing in America’s Future Luncheon held at The Coeur d’Alene Resort. The luncheon was presented by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe in partnership with the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber and community leaders, bringing together business leaders, community members, and regional stakeholders for discussion surrounding economic opportunity, infrastructure, and long-term investment in strong communities.

The event opened with a song from Walking Antelope, setting a meaningful tone for the gathering, and concluded with another song to close out the luncheon.

Idaho Governor Brad Little also addressed attendees, speaking on the significance of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary and the importance of continued opportunity, innovation, and economic growth.

During the luncheon, Treasurer Beach spoke on national economic initiatives, financial literacy, infrastructure investment, and economic development opportunities, while emphasizing the importance of creating opportunity and economic stability.
Chairman Chief Allan welcomed attendees and spoke on the importance of business, partnerships, and continued investment in strong communities.

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe appreciates Treasurer Beach taking the time to visit the reservation, learn more about Tribal programs, and engage in conversations about economic growth and community investment.

Read more: https://councilfires.com/u-s-treasurer-brandon-beach-visits-coeur-dalene-tribal-reservation-tours-tribal-programs-and-community-investments/