Larry EchoHawk has been quietly apologizing to Idaho tribes for his past stances on gaming despite refusing to comment about his potential nomination as head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

EchoHawk, a former Idaho attorney general, recently talked with leaders of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and the Nez Perce Tribe, Indian Country Today reports. The conversations prompted both tribes to send letters of support even after initially questioning his qualifications.

"When I heard that Mr. EchoHawk regretted the actions he took as Idaho’s attorney general against gaming during the 90s, it eased our fears and put an end to negative speculation that had clouded his nomination," Chief James Allan, the Coeur d’Alene chairman, wrote in a letter to President Barack Obama, ICT reports.

EchoHawk advocated changing the Idaho constitution to prevent the state from negotiating with tribes for Class III compacts. Since then, tribes have won a series of lawsuits and have secured public support for their gaming enterprises.

EchoHawk is a member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma.

Get the Story:
EchoHawk apologizes to Idaho tribes for past gaming positions (Indian Country Today 2/6)

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