TOPPENISH -- Yakama tribal members will have a chance to voice any concerns over trust issues such as federally managed Indian money and lands during a two-day listening conference beginning Wednesday.

The Intertribal Monitoring Association on Indian Trust Funds based in Albuquerque, N.M., and the Yakama Nation are hosting the conference at the Cultural Heritage Center situated behind the Yakama agency at 401 Fort Road.

The monitoring association began holding listening conferences in 2004. It's a federal entity responsible for assuring competent and efficient management of Indian trust assets.

The conference begins at 9 a.m. Wednesday and ends at noon on Thursday.

Some issues of concern include federally managed Indian trust funds and trust assets, including Individual Indian Money accounts, land leases, trespass on tribal land, probate and returning fee land back to tribal trust land.

Information gathered will be used to inform Congress and help develop policy reforms.

Special Trustee for American Indians Ross O. Swimmer will attend.

-- Phil Ferolito