The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a confirmation hearing this afternoon for Larry EchoHawk to be assistant secretary of Indian affairs at the Department of the Interior.

The committee heard from Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), who introduced EchoHawk. Alonzo Coby, the chairman of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Idaho, praised EchoHawk's qualifications.

Sen. Mike Crapo (D-Idaho), a longtime friend of EchoHawk's, and Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah), also welcomed the nominee. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), the committee chairman, said he expected a vote next Thursday.

EchoHawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, primarily read from his written statement. He identified economic development, education and public safety as his top priorities at the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

EchoHawk faced only a few questions, first from Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), the vice chairman of the committee, and Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana). Tester was concerned about EchoHawk's recusal on the Cobell case and federal recognition for the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe of Montana.

Cobell, a member of the Blackfeet Nation of Montana, and the tribe are clients of the Native American Rights Fund, whose executive director, John, is Larry's brother. Larry EchoHawk said his deputy will make decisions on both issues.

Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), the former chairman, had a series of questions about gaming. McCain was not pleased with EchoHawk's inability to respond in any detail about the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Class III gaming and off-reservation gaming.

Finally, Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) made some comments about youth and education.

The hearing lasted about 75 minutes.

Committee Hearing:
HEARING on the nomination of Larry J. Echo Hawk to be Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior (May 7, 2009)

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