Larry EchoHawk, the new head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, is slowly but surely building his team in Washington, D.C.

One of EchoHawk's first hires was Paul Tsosie, a member of the Navajo Nation, as chief of staff. Tsosie is an attorney from Utah who has worked for the Navajo community in Utah and on tribal and federal Indian law issues.

Also working with EchoHawk as an adviser in DC is Tracie Stevens, a member of the Tulalip Tribes. She was a senior policy analyst for her tribe's governmental affairs office and is known primarily for her expertise in Indian gaming issues.

One position that will be filled soon is the principal deputy assistant secretary, the number two position at the BIA. Donald Laverdure, a member of the Crow Tribe of Montana who has served as his tribe's legal counsel, is expected to take the job in coming weeks.

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