BYU NewsNet - Professor close to being head of Bureau of Indian Affairs

BYU law professor Larry EchoHawk was recently nominated by President Barack Obama to head the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Thursday’s Indian Affairs Committee hearing brought him one step closer to a possible confirmation.

Most of the senators on the committee expressed their support for EchoHawk, a member of the Pawnee Indian Tribe, who served as Idaho’s Attorney General from 1991-1995.

“I’m confident that Mr. EchoHawk will provide leadership that the BIA has needed for far too long,” said committee chairman Byron Dorgan, D-N.D. at Thursday’s hearing.

The committee will vote May 14 on EchoHawk’s nomination and it will then be put to a vote in the U.S. Senate.

Dorgan said there is need for reform in the BIA and is confident EchoHawk has the skills to do so.

“I look forward to working with you and I believe you will be confirmed,” Dorgan said.

The position requires dealing with difficult issues including poverty, crime, unemployment, education and substance abuse, but EchoHawk said he is up to the challenge.

“I know this is a difficult job,” he told the committee Thursday. “But I pledge to you to work tirelessly and faithfully in executing my responsibilities … to truly make a difference in the lives of people in need.”

EchoHawk said he has hope for the future of Native Americans across the country.

“I remember the many times that I have been in Indian reservation communities,” he said. “In my mind’s eye, I can see the faces of people, people that I love and care for, that suffered the effects of poverty.”

One way to be freed from the effects of poverty, he said, is to get a good education and he and his family have felt this blessing in their lives. He also hopes to decrease violence and establish a better relationship between the government and Native American tribes.

Faculty and administration at BYU have expressed their support for EchoHawk’s nomination.

President Cecil O. Samuelson gave positive statements on the BYU Law Web site regarding EchoHawk.

“At BYU he is greatly admired by his colleagues and students for his leadership, his practical wisdom, his legal expertise and, perhaps most importantly, his willingness to tackle and work toward solving difficult issues,” President Samuelson said. “Professor EchoHawk is a superb choice for Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs.”

Ed Carter, a BYU Communications professor and attorney, took a criminal law class from EchoHawk at BYU when completing his Juris Doctor degree.

“He’s got a great background in terms of criminal prosecution and politics, having been the Attorney General of Idaho and he ran for governor and was a prosecutor,” Carter said. “I think all of that plus his experience at BYU has prepared him well. I’m sure he’ll do a great job.”