Coeur d'Alene Tribe quizzed EchoHawk on gaming

Friday, May 22, 2009  

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Idaho recently asked Larry EchoHawk, the new leader of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, about his views on gaming, Spokane Public Radio reports.

The tribe was concerned because EchoHawk, when he was attorney general of Idaho, did not support Class III gaming. Idaho tribes eventually won lawsuits and voter approval to operate their casinos.

“All those concerns were allayed after that conversation so the tribe feels really good about Mr. EchoHawk and what he’s going to bring to Indian country," Coeur d’Alene spokesperson Marc Stewart told Spokane Public Radio.

EchoHawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday. AT his confirmation hearing, he was asked about Indian gaming by Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) but he declined to discuss the issue in specifics.

EchoHawk was sworn in to his new job today. A press release from the Interior Department is in the works.

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