Deseret News | EchoHawk pledges to ease Indian woes

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EchoHawk pledges to ease Indian woes

Brian Cladoosby | 11:29 a.m. May 20, 2009

I am Chairman of the Swinomish Tribe in Wash. State, and Pres of Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians. It was a pleasure to be back in DC when Asst. Sec. Echohawk was going through his confirmation hearing. It was an honor to witness and to hear all the great work this Native American has done for all Native people's. A real trail blazer for all of us. He is a real role model for all Native Americans to show how hard work really pays off. I pray God continues to bless him and his family and wish him all the luck in the world in his new position.

Echohawk Hebrew or Asian? | 11:43 a.m. May 20, 2009

As a BYU law professor, I wonder if Larry EchoHawk considers himself to be a descendant of Lehi?

A recent study:

Schroeder, Kari B. et al. (2009). Haplotypic Background of a Private Allele at High Frequency in the Americas. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 26(5):9951016. Oxford University Press.

Concludes all modern Native Americans and Western Beringians trace their ancestry to a single founding Asian population that may have been isolated from other Asian populations prior to expanding into the Americas.

ARF | 11:56 a.m. May 20, 2009

I guess this means he won't be teaching my Evidence class in the Fall. Congrats, Prof. Echohawk.

Comments continue below

Re: Echohawk Hebrew or Asian? | 12:36 p.m. May 20, 2009

From the abstract of the article you cite:

"The results support the hypothesis that all modern Native Americans and Western Beringians trace a large portion of their ancestry to a single founding population that may have been isolated from other Asian populations prior to expanding into the Americas."

Most Mormons who have seriously considered claims about the ancestry of Native Americans have come to the conclusion that their ancestry is predominantly Asian. But notice that nothing in the statement quoted above either supports or precludes the possibility that some or all Native Americans are descendants of Lehi.

I have a more relevant answer to your question, though. Based on my interaction with other Native Americans, I'm guessing that EchoHawk sees himself neither as Hebrew or Asian, but as Native American.

Congrats to him, by the way, on his confirmation.

Indian Country Law Enforcement | 1:06 p.m. May 20, 2009

The best to Mr. Echo Hawk and this enormous undertaking. Hopeful he can see beyond the dysfunctional and corrupt law enforcment in the BIA. Tribal leaders have repeatedly plead for change but have been ignored by those in charge at the regional and national levels. Look, listen and make the necessary changes for our people. They deserve so much more.

Anonymous | 1:47 p.m. May 20, 2009

To 12:36 p.m.

"notice that nothing in the statement quoted above either supports or precludes the possibility that some or all Native Americans are descendants of Lehi."

That is a very weak position: "I believe it because science does not (yet) preclude it."

We could stubbornly retain our belief in unicorns by the same argument: "Nothing supports or precludes the possibility that unicorns are real."

Nothing in science "supports or precludes the possibility that" --------- (insert your favorite myth here)... is a fallacious form of argumentation. If that is the best defense the LDS have against scientific findings, then I strongly recommend LDS Church members get out now and beat the Christmas rush.

Herb Gravy | 2:01 p.m. May 20, 2009

Dear old (tired) "Anonymous": As usual, you hit the nail squarely on the head. I know of no one more anxious to get off the subject than you. Thanks again for your arcane insights and your recommendations. I am confident they are universally appreciated and will be "religiously" adhered to (post haste).

Re: Anonymous | 1:47 p.m. | 5:08 p.m. May 20, 2009

The 11:43 a.m. commenter overstated the conclusions of the article he cited. My point was that, contrary to the implications of his posting, the article he cites cannot be used as evidence for or against a Native American ancestral connection to Lehi. There is no fallacy in this refutation.

There is, however, a fallacy in the straw man you've constructed to caricature my position. You assume that my belief is based on the absence of scientific evidence to the contrary. That is your claim, not mine. (In fact, I don't believe I stated any belief at all. You presumed to state it for me. Thanks.) You also presumed that my response was a defense against scientific findings. That's clearly not the case. I accept the science in the paper in question. As previously stated, it doesn't contradict anything I believe.

To Anon. | 6:06 p.m. May 20, 2009

Boy, those Mormon apologist philosophes are slippery, aren't they!

Anonymous | 9:03 p.m. May 20, 2009

The word "apologist" seems to be misused many times on these boards. Do people just like the way it sounds and so use it without knowing what it means or doesn't mean?

Good Man | 9:47 p.m. May 20, 2009

Brother Echohawk is a good man who has raised a wonderful family of talented people. I knew him in my ward in Idaho and I knew his sons. He is a wonderful, faithful man with more talent and gifts that one man ought to have. His wife is only about twice as spectacular as him and therefore good things surround him and his future.

He is the most honorable and impressive democrat I have ever personally known in the 9 states I have been privileged to live in. This is a very strong appointment. If there were more democrats with as much personal principle and honorable values as those I see in him, I'd almost be one :)

r | 5:55 a.m. May 21, 2009

Congrats to a good man.

Notice the long list of | 7:29 a.m. May 21, 2009

government bureaucracies that deal with natice americans. "Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, the Office of Indian Gaming, the Office of Self-Governance, the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development and other Interior offices relating to Indian tribes and issues."

That is ridiculous. I'm not saying that there shouldn't be any, but surely just one could cover all of these issues. No wonder the federal government budget so large and its tax appetite is so voracious.

Anonymous | 7:55 a.m. May 21, 2009

It is a dark blot on us as a nation that the position was vacant for so long. It says "these people are not important"...

Who cares about ancestry? This is an important position that needs a good man, no matter anything else.

Yes, they need help. Education is a key to unlock many doors.

I sincerely hope he does not go in and force his religious points of view on their affairs with his decisions.

It will be a touch of grace for Native Americans if he is the man everyone says he is, Mormon or not. A good person is always a blessing.

Original Pechanga | 8:02 a.m. May 21, 2009

Many in California are hoping Larry Echohawk will do smthing about the tragedy of Tribal disenrollments that has grown out of the gaming here. Tribes are eliminating more Indians that the white man, so they can get more per capita. Original Pechanga's Blog tells the stories of Tribes like Redding, Picayune and Pechanga. Larry, it's time to step up and enforce the Indian Civil Rights Act.

Sigh... | 8:58 a.m. May 21, 2009

No Mormon theology states that Lehi is the sole ancestor of Native Americans. Matter of fact, any evidence in the Book of Mormon itself indicates that they lived in a pretty limited geographic area, and that there were other peoples with whom they interacted. So it's not strange at all, that a people who were only a small part of the DNA pool, of whom most were wiped out over 1600 years ago, should not have DNA markers in the current population that we associate with modern Hebrews. For that matter, who knows what DNA differences existed between the tribe of Judah and the tribe of Manasseh anciently? Some DNA researchers have stated that it would be more unusual to see commonalities that had survived that long, in such a mixed population.

Now, Mormon bashing aside, congratulations to Mr. Echohawk, and I wish him well in his new position.

Mr. Anonymous | 9:39 a.m. May 21, 2009

You obviously believe that Mormon belief is a fairy tale. So you use the article to support that belief regardless of what it says. Why would you use an article to disprove Mormonism and then accuse a Mormon of believing nonsense when he reminds you the article doesn't refute Mormon belief? Science is fine, but it has meaning only as it supports our pre-conceived ideas. We can't escape belief because it represents what we hold as true. Science and religion just provide the evidence and the clique.

Reality | 9:46 a.m. May 21, 2009

A great man for a difficult job. I have seen first hand many of these people and the way they live. Despite all of the programs and billions of dollars allocated and spent over the past years many of these people choose to live in poverty and will not leave their homes. They will have to either leave their homes for education or jobs(there is plenty of money allocated for programs that support that) or build industry(aside from casinos)close to their homes and train the ones who are willing to work. All the programs and money in the world will not help those who cannot or will not adapt.

Ex-Law-Student | 10:07 a.m. May 21, 2009

Congratulations to Mr. Echohawk, my favorite law school professor.

Now | 10:28 a.m. May 21, 2009

would he have control over Indian Health Services too? I hope he can straighten out the big mess and disorganization in that department. The best of luck to him in this new course in his life.

Indian vs Native American | 12:06 p.m. May 21, 2009

Congrats to Mr Echohawk! I have wondered about how the term "indian" came to denote the people called native americans today. The Indians that Mr Echohawk is to represent never came from India...so why has that name stuck around so long to describe them?

I guess it's similar to blacks, negros, african american, etc... IMO, the native americans are truly "Americans"...they were here long before the Mayflower landed on Plymouth Rock...right? Idk, it's just something that i have wondered about for some time now.

Knwowhat | 12:59 p.m. May 21, 2009

@Indian vs Native American, I don't think anyone was disputing that they were here before the Mayflower. I think you should address them by there own tribal name since they were here before this land was called America. How could they be called native Americans?

Congrats...... | 2:23 p.m. May 21, 2009

I don't know Mr. EchoHawk personally, but I like his credentials. Bases on his track record, he will do a good job. Good luck and God Speed.

Re: Indian vs Native American | 5:31 p.m. May 21, 2009

Early explorers to the Americas were looking for a westward route to India, and initially thought they'd found one. From that faulty assumption it followed that the people they encountered were "Indians".

the Native Americans' Plight | 6:38 p.m. May 21, 2009

Native Americans suffer from a microcosm of what is about to engulf us all, namely, socialism. The best thing that Mr. EchoHawk could do, is push for private property rights, and seek for private industry investment on the reservations.

I grew up in Arizona, near the Navajo Nation (the country's largest tribe both in land area and population, I believe) and I saw first hand the frustrating lack of economic progress that confronted these good people. The "American Dream" sadly bypassed them, mostly through the evils of the government-run programs that lulled them in complacency and dependency.

I would love to see the government do something to invigorate private industry--light manufacturing, call centers, etc. (there are many possibilities), that can make use of the huge Native American labor pool that exists, rather than just throw more socialistic money at the problem. But all of this would require private property rights...

I hope that Mr. EchoHawk can have the wisdom to try to channel the government's efforts is such a way so as to foster the American Dream for our Native American brothers and sisters, and not just more dependency.

R-Willow | 12:17 a.m. May 22, 2009

I,am a member of the "Terminate" Mixed Blood Uinta
Band of Ute Indians of Eastern utah. We are the
"only" "Terminated Native American Indians" left in
the United States. All the other terminated indians
have either been "reinstated" or thier identity as
Native Americans have been restored.
I'am hopeing that "Larry Echohawk" will be the one in our State to step up to the plate, and help the
"Terminated Mixed Blood Uinta" regain their Identity
as Native American Indians.
He gives us hope in our Journey to justice, we have
lived for 55 years suffering because of the experimental law "termination" that congress stamped
on our backs. Its time to lift that brand and restore us back to who we are "American Indians."
As the saying goes: "JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE
DENIED" and we hav been denied for 55 years and
counting. Approx. 260 minor children were terminated, with no voice or vote, out of 490, and
there is no evidence that any of the mixed bloods
ever wanted or asked for termination.

Good Luck Larry, were counting on you to step in and
help us.

Warning | 11:49 a.m. May 22, 2009

The Native Americans are a dying race and we need Echohawk to do what he can to maintain their culture and bloodlines, since there is no other country that preserves it. I have been worried about the impact the new census will have on the Native Americans. If a person is any percent Latino, they would automatically become 100% Latino, even if they are 25%. Native bloodlines need to be preserved no matter what the percentage. Native Hawaiians should also be on the extinct culture list before they are eliminated all together. Americans need to preserve these Native American races or take responsibility for the genocide of these cultures and bloodlines.

Thrilled | 5:57 p.m. May 22, 2009

Congratulations Mr. Echohawk. I'm thrilled for you. Thank you for opening doors for all of us. My son just completed his first year of law school. You have been a great example.

Bob Buhr | 7:02 p.m. May 22, 2009

I knew Larry Echohawk when he lived briefly in Fremont, California, nearly 34 years ago, before he moved to Idaho. He is a man of fine character. I believe he will do much good for native Americans and that his actions will improve their living standards. God Bless you in your new position Larry Echohawk.

Trend | 7:46 p.m. May 22, 2009

The last thing the Indians need is to have captilism imposed on them, that would insure the end of their indentity and culture. As it is the white man's gambling casinos are destroying Indian society. Some people can just not get it in their heads that life is not just all about money. And for those who have not yet figured it out, Indians are not Hebrew, nnever were and never will be. It is outrages that some would paint us as something we are not just to support their indefensiable believes. Come and visit, get to know the Indians and you might like us for just what we are. We do.

Anonymous | 8:50 a.m. June 2, 2009

Larry Echohawk will be a tremendous advocate for Native Americans/Indians. Now, what does the ancient origins of Native Americans/Indians have to do with Larry Echohawk's appointment? He has stated that "education, economic development and law enforcement" are the three areas that he will focus on. I doubt determining the true origins of Native Americans/Indians will be making its way onto that list of priorities any time soon, so give it a rest. Apologists and bashers, alike, this is not the place for you to wage your war. Go create a blog or something. You are annoying.

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