EchoHawk hits D.C. running

While vowing to quickly address the most pressing issues in Indian country, new Assistant Interior Secretary for Indian Affairs Larry EchoHawk is spending his first week on the job talking to tribal leaders, staff, Congress and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar about possible solutions.

"I want American Indians and Alaska Natives to know we are ready to address their concerns," EchoHawk, a former BYU law professor and Idaho attorney general, said in a written statement Thursday.

"Government can be part of the solution to problems if it takes the time to listen, learns from its mistakes and seeks the best results. Now is the time to take action," he said.

After spending last week moving his family from Utah to Washington, EchoHawk on Monday began a week of meetings with key tribal, congressional and other officials. The first was with Salazar to begin plans for implementing President Barack Obama's vision for Indian country.

"President Obama, Secretary Salazar, the Congress and tribal leaders want to see Indian Affairs move quickly to address Indian country's most pressing issues," EchoHawk said.

"The current economic conditions, while improving, still have a disproportionate impact on rural, remote tribal communities. We are moving forward to implement the Recovery Act, and I have begun reaching out to tribal leaders throughout our regions to hear their views on what solutions are needed," he said.

EchoHawk said he had held a number of staff briefings, made phone calls to about 20 tribal leaders, visited several Senate offices, and met with representatives of the National Congress of American Indians at its Washington headquarters. He will also talk to a conference of that tribal congress later this month.

EchoHawk oversees the Bureau of Indian affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education and other Interior Department activities affecting the 562 federally recognized tribes in the country.

E-mail: lee@desnews.com