Story Published:
May 24, 2009
Story Updated:
May 22, 2009
WASHINGTON – The full Senate voted May 19 to confirm Larry EchoHawk, 60, as assistant secretary of Indian affairs at the Department of the Interior.
In the job he will lead an agency that serves approximately 1.7 million American Indians and Alaska Natives and manages millions of acres in tribal trusts. It is viewed by many as a difficult position – one that has long been rife with challenges involving the balance of federal and tribal interests.
The post has been vacant for more than half of the last eight years.
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs previously approved President Barack Obama’s nomination of EchoHawk by a substantial margin. Obama’s nod came in April.
Few senators took umbrage with EchoHawk’s abilities. In committee, Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., voted against him for reasons he did not explain, while Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., expressed concerns regarding his positions on Indian gaming. Still, McCain did not vote against the nominee.
EchoHawk’s previous Indian gaming stances had also raised alarm bells for some in Indian country.
Detractors noted that when EchoHawk served as Idaho’s attorney general from 1991 to 1995 – the first American Indian in U.S. history elected as a state attorney general – he called on the governor to change the language of state legislation so the state no longer would have a legal obligation under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to negotiate for Class III gaming with Idaho’s tribes.
The criticism did not gain steam in Congress.
Some tribal leaders have said they are confident that EchoHawk, a member of the Pawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, will be supportive of tribal interests.
Alonzo Coby, chairman of the Fort Hall Business Council for the Shoshone Bannock Tribes, has exemplified the hope that many tribal leaders have for EchoHawk.
Coby testified during the confirmation hearing that he believed EchoHawk would advance tribal sovereignty and economic self-sufficiency. EchoHawk previously worked in a legal capacity for the tribe.
EchoHawk’s boss at the Interior now becomes Secretary Ken Salazar. The two have long been friends.
Salazar was quick to offer praise for the Senate’s confirmation. “I want to thank the Senate for expeditiously approving Larry EchoHawk’s confirmation,” he said in a statement issued May 20.
“He is a seasoned executive with an extensive background in government, Indian law and public policy. As Interior’s assistant secretary for Indian affairs, he will help the department meet its goals of empowering American Indian and Alaska Native communities and supporting the nation’s economic recovery.”
Prior to his new role, EchoHawk had been a law professor at Brigham Young University where he completed his undergraduate studies in 1970.
He received a law degree in 1973 from the University of Utah law school, and he and members of his family have long been viewed as strong advocates for Indian country.
“The challenges facing American Indians and Alaska Natives are great,” EchoHawk testified during his confirmation hearing. “I remember the many times that I have been in Indian reservation communities. In my mind’s eye, I can see the faces of people; people that I love and care for that suffered the affects of poverty. I would see it as my responsibility to do everything I can to see that every American Indian and Alaska Native receive an opportunity for a quality education and a good job and economic prosperity.”
Interior officials said a swearing-in ceremony for EchoHawk is yet to be scheduled, but is expected in short order.
You have indicated this comment should be removed.
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .
Haskell Student said on Monday, Jul 6 at 2:34 PM
I am a current Haskell student who is sick and tired of hearing all the complaints about Dr.Warner. She has come in and cleaned the place up and the ones who are complaining are the same ones who have complained about every Haskell president before her. Here's what people should really be worried about about...Haskell teacher who recruits our students to go to Palestine !!!! Now that's scarey !!!! Dr.Warner's doing a great job and they are a lot of us behind her !
25489907Storm Cloud said on Saturday, Jun 20 at 3:55 PM
When will Native Americans learn about politics? Ever? An Assistant Secretary has to follow the Presidents agenda--his way, or the highway. Others before Echohawk learned this the hard way--so it doesn't matter if the Assist Sect is white, brown, black,Indian or a monkey--he/she must toe the line or else. Speak to any ex-Assist Sect for Indians and learn the truth.
24172629Okie Girl said on Tuesday, Jun 16 at 12:12 PM
Congratulation on your appointment. I just hope that you have the stamina to stay off Jeanette Hanna of the Eastern Oklahoma Regional Office in Muskogee Oklahoma. If you have not heard by now Ms. Hanna has 8 Federal Lawsuits pending against her and the BIA which will result in millions of dollars lost for the Government. She has mismanaged funds. She has railroaded many people out of employment. All I can say is good luck.
23898177pahchoka said on Tuesday, Jun 16 at 1:07 AM
Bear in mind one thing-you cannot enter their house unless you behave like them-the only language spoken in Washington is white regardless of who sits on the throne or has a cabinet post- the only advocacy allowed is what is approved. For decades now indigenous people have continued to buy into all the liberal hype and empty promises of the Democratic Party and the single glaring question of that support is what has it gained? NEITHER party represents us or for that matter cares.
23874807Educator said on Monday, Jun 8 at 10:16 AM
There are two sides to every story, and the anti-Warner faction seems to be the vocal minority with time on their hands to fill websites with how bad things are at Haskell. After talking to several folks in and out of Haskell, the other side of the story is this: Warner has actually tried to change things at Haskell and in doing so has ruffled feathers. The vocal minority likes things the way they were, so they started this war. Bottom line? If the whiners win, Indian students lose.
23389087Allen C. Turner, Esq. said on Friday, Jun 5 at 3:30 PM
Congratulations on your appointment. Sovereignty = Justice
23292272Beverly (N.TN) said on Friday, Jun 5 at 2:48 PM
Mr. EchoHawk; What can I do to help?
23289707MadAnthony said on Friday, Jun 5 at 11:00 AM
Chooge: "highly qualified?" Such as?
23277307Anthony said on Friday, Jun 5 at 10:19 AM
The whining of the Haskellites is getting very old. Can't you people do anything besides complain? That is a rhetorical question, of course.
23274844bish said on Wednesday, Jun 3 at 9:25 PM
Only time will reveal the results of one's deeds.. Our actions will define who we are in the long.........
23189179Carlene A. Chamberlain said on Tuesday, Jun 2 at 5:30 PM
Mr. Echohawk; Do not forget the history of our people across this Nation. Right the wrongs. Know that in the end you will have to answer to the Ancestors for the decisions you have made in your new position. No more Indian fighters in this Country. Now go to work and good luck. I'm always good for giving advice so call me if need be! Jamul Indian Village of California
23096694Gene said on Monday, Jun 1 at 9:51 AM
Mr. Echohawk, I know you will do good. Semper Fi, Brother.
23004232V said on Monday, Jun 1 at 12:51 AM
Then there the trick where the boss leaves for a few days and the accuser becomes acting boss and passes judgements on there own complaints. Juicy gold bricking government jobs.
22994569V said on Monday, Jun 1 at 12:41 AM
Where the official organizational chart for Haskell? The people above her also have to be held accountable not just the acting officials.
22994344V said on Monday, Jun 1 at 12:36 AM
Anybody bother to get the employee handbook or BIAM manual. The penalties are probably a slap on the wrist.
22994264LaNada said on Sunday, May 31 at 1:55 PM
I'm going to take the high road and ask Mr. Echohawk to prioritize funding for higher education and enforce tribal accountability. Don't allow the feds to trade constitutional protections for tribal sovereignty. We need both like the rest of America. We need funding for both reservation and urban communities, This whole country is Indian country, why do we allow invisible boundaries to separate us when we move around like we always did. We are still the same people. Avocate strongly for us!
22974352circle said on Sunday, May 31 at 12:14 PM
Mr. Echohawk: the Haskell student petition, the KS tribes, the Board of Regents, the Endowment Board, the information picket, the record number of grievances filed, etc., all have tried to highlight the incompetence (and worse) of Linda Warner. Why does the Bureau (Stephanie Birdwell, Spike Bighorn, Kevin Skenandore, et. al.) ignore the voices of the Indian people and continue to protect Warner?
22970917PatrickAustinFreeland said on Saturday, May 30 at 5:06 PM
Interesting choice. We shall see.
22943637Chooge said on Friday, May 29 at 11:15 PM
Yes-to all Natives speaking to the HASKELL situation. I attend most spring graduations but this years graduation had an 'air' of something ain't right. When we had the 125 year celebration I expected more. I couldn't define the mood. Staffers whispering how highly qualified instructors with masters are being overlooked for the much less qualified. Instructors teaching out of their field of expertise, and the dorms 1/2 staffed leaving the students free to their own devices. Is it funding?
22917614tomcat said on Friday, May 29 at 2:20 PM
wouldn't it be incredible if Indian self-determination in education actually meant something to the BIA and the tyranny at Haskell was ended.... votes of no confidence in the current regime would mean something if self determination was for real....
22890117V said on Thursday, May 28 at 11:46 PM
Yeah, larry. From your tribes own website. "Currently, many Shoshones maintain their allegiance to the LSD Church." Another puppet for the LSD church http://www.nwbtechnology.com/files/massconversion.pdf
22853972Baapua Woman said on Thursday, May 28 at 3:24 PM
Mr. EchoHawk, please look into the situation at Haskell Indian Nations University in regard to its president Linda Sue Warner. Don't look the other way as Stephanie Birdwell does.
22820299Larry Neaman said on Thursday, May 28 at 11:39 AM
Larry has helped our tribe with our hunting and fishing in the state of idaho. where before we had non, And he did tell the State Of Idaho that we had that RIGHTS under our Treaty. We our the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation of Southern Idaho/Northern Utah Tribe.Mr. EchoHawk is good person for this job. He 4 the Indain people.
22802077Anonymous said on Thursday, May 28 at 11:06 AM
maybe he can end the chaos at Haskell
22799419Chooge said on Wednesday, May 27 at 5:07 PM
I'm 50/50 on Echohawk after hearing some other Natives speaking to his past positions or actions. Nelson speaks to 'change', I too voted OBAMA and for the same reasons. Will Larry Echohawk be the arm for change as Obama promises, let's hope. The Office of Special Trustee had a scandal 2 years ago when the Lords brothers and Donna Erwin were caught taking from contractors. For punishment, Ross Swimmer sends them to ethics training. Let's hope Echohawk does more than that, how about clean house.
22759989Wilbur Nelson said on Wednesday, May 27 at 1:08 PM
Finally, thier is a President that has made the right choice in selecting and moving forward with the confirmation of Echohawk as BIA head! For this purpose, I voted for OBAMA, to do what he is doing for Indian Country that i slong overdue. And Larry fits the bill, now lets help him live up to this charge: put the BIA house in order and get the BIA to start living up it's overall responsibilites to tribes and individual Natives, that it may yet be said: They carried out the mandate for change
22740582Marley said on Tuesday, May 26 at 7:26 PM
I totally agree with Chooge, VERY anti-indian individual.
22700207Chooge said on Tuesday, May 26 at 2:01 PM
I've heard some negative things on NATIVE AMERICA CALLING talk radio. Things have come out on this man that seems anti-Indian especially when he went out to Idaho to solicit change of the State's Constitution to deny Indian gaming. The big question, 'will he advocate for Indian issues and causes?' That seems up in the air. My Keetoowah kin have been trying to get their tribal HQ land into trust only to be denied by the corrupt BIA director, Jeanette Hanna. Eastern Oklahoma needs change.
22678844Whitecloud said on Tuesday, May 26 at 11:49 AM
California Indians who are federally recognized under 25USC657 are still being denied Repatriation. In 1967 we surrendered 230 konkow Human remains. How long are you going to waste tax payers money curating them ? Sadam Hussein refused to let his enemies bury their dead to deny them freedom of religion. What would you call what you are doing to us Larry ?
22670462Chooge said on Tuesday, May 26 at 7:49 AM
Hope he doesn't turn into a yes-man and become the 'token Indian' like Ross Swimmer.
22660292Tantelaus said on Saturday, May 23 at 10:09 AM
Larry's swear in was yesterday, Friday May 22. Go get 'em Larry.
22092894Add a comment
Most Popular