Assistant Secretary Larry Echo Hawk, the leader of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, began a weeklong tour of Alaska on Monday by hearing from tribal leaders about a wide range of issues.

Echo Hawk started in Fairbanks, where he listened for about four hours. He heard a lot of complaints about the the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and said he would look into corporate enrollment issues.

“I’ve heard many important issues today. ... But that one has gotten my attention more than anything,” Echo Hawk told tribal leaders, The Fairbanks Daily News Miner reported.

Echo Hawk also plans to visit Stevens Village, Barrow, Ketchikan and Metlakatla during his tour.

Get the Story:
Indian affairs official hears Alaska Native concerns in Fairbanks (The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 6/29)

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Alaska Native leaders ready for meeting with Larry Echo Hawk (6/28)