Obama nominates BYU law professor to lead Indian Affairs

President Barack Obama announced Friday that he intends to nominate Brigham Young University law professor Larry EchoHawk to lead the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, ending months of speculation that EchoHawk might not be selected because some tribes worried he may oppose tribal casinos.

EchoHawk, 60, a Pawnee, was the first Native American to be elected to a statewide office when he served as Idaho's attorney general from 1991 to 1995 after previously serving as a state legislator. He was the Democratic nominee in the 1994 Idaho gubernatorial race, but he lost the election. The former BYU football player has taught since then at BYU's J. Reuben Clark Law School.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said of the nomination, "Larry EchoHawk has the right leadership abilities, legislative experience and legal expertise to bring about the transformative improvements we all seek for Indian Country. He is a dedicated public servant and an excellent choice."

BYU President Cecil Samuelson also congratulated EchoHawk, calling him a "superb choice" who was well-respected by his peers.

"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," Samuelson said in a prepared statement.

Speculation about EchoHawk's expected nomination has been controversial among some tribes. Several loudly voiced concern that when he was Idaho's attorney general, he tried to block tribes there from gaining permission to operate casinos (which they would eventually do anyway) — and wondered if he might do the same in federal office.

Others contended he simply did his job to advise state officials who felt Idahoans had passed a constitutional amendment to allow a lottery with a promise it would not allow other gambling forms. When federal officials said the amendment's loose wording should allow tribal casinos, EchoHawk's office suggested a special legislative session to tighten it.

Various tribal newspapers reported in recent months that EchoHawk had talked with tribes to calm fears. And Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, had urged leaders of tribes at a conference in California to support EchoHawk for his "long and honorable record of public service."

EchoHawk declined comment until confirmation by the Senate — which is routine for nominees.

A law journal article he wrote in 2001 may show his view of the historical result of federal relations with Indian tribes.