Sen. Byron L. Dorgan, D-N.D., and former college basketball coach Dale Brown are the two keynote speakers for the Twelfth Annual Tribal Leaders Summit in Bismarck.

The event is hosted by United Tribes Technical College and attended by representatives of tribes around the region.

Dorgan's talk is scheduled for Sept. 3 during a noon luncheon at the Bismarck Civic Center.

Brown is scheduled to address the summit during a noon luncheon on Sept. 4, also at the Civic Center.

All events of the two-day summit will be held at the Bismarck Civic Center Exhibit Hall. The opening ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 3. The conference theme is: "Leadership in a New Era."

Tribal leaders in the region use the annual gathering to exchange information about current issues.

Former Oglala Tribal Chairperson Cecilia Fire Thunder will appear at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 3 and speak on the topic of tribal leaders and their role in addressing domestic violence on reservations.

The Director of Law Enforcement for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pat Ragsdale, will address the summit about law enforcement issues in Indian Country. His talk is set for 11 a.m. Sept. 4.

Also on the schedule is an official consultation meeting between the BIA, representatives of the Federal Highway Administration, and tribal leaders.

Other topics include: State legislative issues, Indian gaming, education, and a report from the office of the special trustee.

The event includes a trade show open to vendors that have an active North Dakota Sales and Use Tax Permit.

United Tribes Technical College sponsors the meetings, which precede the United Tribes International Powwow. To see a detailed agenda and to register, visit the United Tribes Web site at www.uttc.edu, or contact Tiffany Hodge, 255-3285, ext. 1482, thodge@uttc.edu. For the trade fair, contact Debbie Paint, 255-3285, ext. 1232, dpainte@uttc.edu.