President Barack Obama hasn’t announced any nominees to head the Bureau of Indian Affairs, but opposition is already forming behind a potential candidate, Larry EchoHawk.
EchoHawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, served as attorney general of Idaho from 1991 to 1995. His actions during that tenure have some concerned that he will not be friendly to expanded tribal gaming.
Attorney Scott Cromwell said EchoHawk’s efforts to push Idaho lawmakers to change state law to avoid negotiating a Class III gaming compact with state tribes makes him an enemy of tribal gaming.
“Imagine that, while at the table with a federal obligation to negotiate in good faith, Larry EchoHawk instead headed up the extraordinary effort to change Idaho law to deprive tribes of their federal and inherent rights to operate Class III games on their lands,” Cromwell wrote in an open letter.
Cromwell’s criticism was countered by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Idaho and Chairman Alonzo Coby.
“As attorney general, he supported legislation and efforts to protect native religious freedoms, salmon treaty fishing rights, and other legal matters impacting tribal sovereignty,” Coby stated. “While attorney general, Larry also led efforts to improve state-tribal relations through the Conference of Western Attorneys General.”
EchoHawk himself tried to blunt the criticism.
James Allan, chief of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe of Idaho, said EchoHawk contacted the tribe to apologize for his mistake and to assure the tribe that he does not want to do anything to take away tribal gaming rights.
“His answers were honest and from the heart,” Allan wrote in a letter supporting EchoHawk. “We all make mistakes in life. When I heard that Mr. EchoHawk regretted the actions he took as Idaho’s attorney general against gaming during the ’90s, it eased our fears and put an end to negative speculation that had clouded his nomination.”
Colorado Senator Ken Salazar has already been confirmed to take over as secretary of the Interior.
There is no announcement who will head the Bureau of Indian Affairs or when such an announcement will be made.
