EchoHawk could run Indian affairs

[Hope And Change]

Larry EchoHawk (Chris Butler, AP)

BYU professor is lead candidate for U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs post

By Lee Davidson

Deseret News

Published: Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009 2:06 a.m. MST

Possible nomination of BYU law professor Larry EchoHawk to head the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs is a hot topic in Indian country, where some have opposed him because they worry he may oppose American Indian gaming.

That led Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, to appeal to worried leaders of many tribes at a recent forum to "get to know Larry EchoHawk" and his "long and honorable record of public service." Inouye also told tribal leaders that the Obama administration has selected EchoHawk "as the next assistant secretary for Indian affairs" and that he "has agreed to serve."

EchoHawk told the Deseret News he cannot comment on the possible nomination and the controversy about it. Potential nominees are routinely told not to discuss it while they are vetted before formal nomination.

Critics contend that when EchoHawk was the attorney general of Idaho from 1990-94, he tried to block tribes from gaining permission to operate casinos (which they would eventually do).

Others say he was doing his job to advise state officials who felt Idahoans had passed a constitutional amendment to allow a lottery with the promise that it would not allow other forms of gambling. But federal officials said loose wording in it should allow American Indian casinos. EchoHawk's office suggested a special session to pass another amendment to block American Indian gaming.


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