DOI backs Larry Echo Hawk's decision to recognize Tejon Tribe

Thursday, May 2, 2013  

The Interior Department is standing by a decision to place the Tejon Tribe of California back on the list of federally recognized entities.

Citing a past mistake, former Assistant Secretary Larry Echo Hawk restored the tribe to the list in January 2012. The Office of Inspector General at the Interior Department said he did so without regard to any sort of "discernible process."

The "Tejon Indian Tribe" showed up on the list in August 2012, when the Bureau of Indian Affairs finally published its annual update.

Get the Story:
Feds to uphold Calif. tribal recognition decision (AP 5/1)

DOI Inspector General Report:
Investigative Report of the Tejon Indian Tribe (April 2013)

Federal Register Notice:
Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible To Receive Services From the Bureau of Indian Affairs (August 10, 2012)

OIG report blasts Larry Echo Hawk for handling of Tejon case (5/1)
Inspector General Reports: Larry Echo Hawk, Jeanette Hanna (4/30)
Tejon Indian Tribe to start preparing for future as newest tribe (1/4)
BIA places Tejon Indian Tribe back on list of recognized tribes (1/3)