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We are indeed hearing that there are letters going out supporting Larry Echo Hawk. That fact remains obvious. What is not obvious are the urgent conversations on the part of Larry Echo Hawk's team to "select friends" from back in the day. Do you think that any subsequent letters coming out from those select friends represents the whole tribe? I would think that is just "business as usual." Just because a Tribal Council signs a letter does not mean the entire Tribe supports what they say. Does a conversation and a hand-shake take into consideration the damaging history of Mr. Echo Hawk's actions against Tribal Sovereignty? It really isn't about gaming, it's about his interpretation of Tribes' Sovereignty, afterall.
And what is the content of those desperate conversations? Why can't he just issue a press release? If you want good word spread, then let every Indian know what is being said. If Larry Echo Hawk were to apologize to tribal leaders in private, shouldn't he do it publicly? Take this to Tribal people to vote on and you will find that many Tribal council members may turn red-faced when the people they are supposed to be representing express another opinion when given all the facts. Isn't the concept of the treaty-signers and non-signers a part of our history that just can't seem to be put to rest? What about coal deals, oil deals, coal bed methane deals, tribal membership, disenrollment? You see, just because you got the support of a tiny fraction of a minority of the people does not warrant an acceptance of that support as truth that all the people agree. I cannot recall any referendums being passed around any tribes in the last week to assess the entire population's decision on whether to support Larry or not.
So again, what does Larry Echo Hawk have to say besides "no comment?" If there is an apology, he would do well to remember that Indian people are notorious for being forgiving. Maybe that's half the battle, just being honest.
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Some would have us believe that Larry was an unwilling participant in his own story. The new administration promised to operate with complete transparency. When vetting a position of trust they need to go the extra mile to ensure public trust. In this case, I worry that they have trouble even going the first mile. A press release is not out of the question.
A statement from tribal councils in Echohawk's home state carry great weight. Although not a referendum vote by the entire membership, council members are elected to represent the membership and there is no reason to assume that Idaho tribal memberships do not fully support him. You should consider withholding your judgments until after an announcement is made. Afterall, public comments from Echohawk before any official announcement is made would be inappropriate and he is probably being advised not to make any public comments while the vetting process moves forward. I agree that it is valid to want to hear specifics on his positions on ndn issues, but be fair and give him an opportunity to answer before passing judgment on half-information. I think it speaks volumes that Idaho tribes are supporting him! Who is in a better position to comment on his qualifications for assistant secretary? out of state non-Indians? anonymous bloggers? Idaho tribal support combined with Senator Inouye's words of strong support given his personal knowledge of Echohawk's record is hard to dismiss. Can you agree to keep an open mind until the announcement is made and he has a fair opportunity to make a statement?
There are over 500 tribes in the U.S. It is wrong to think Idaho Tribes are the only ones who matter. And Idaho is not even the homestate of the Pawnee. Oklahoma would be their homestate. Where are all the letters of support from Oklahoma Tribes? In all, I could only find one letter of support out there from one Idaho Tribe. If you want to know what real Indians are saying read all the comments on the numerous forums and blogs. There are many interesting opinions.
Of course all tribes matter. My point was that Idaho tribes know him best and that says a lot. Perhaps the Pawnee will express support and that may or may not matter to you, but I would encourage all watching this process to hope that it will result in good leadership and improvement for Indian country. I believe we are in a unique position as a nation to see real positive changes for all of Indian country. We should try and work together as much as possible to make this change happen. Have a good weekend.
One of you said: "Although not a referendum vote by the entire membership, council members are elected to represent the membership and there is no reason to assume that Idaho tribal memberships do not fully support him." Really?
Well if you look at history, and truly know tribal politics at the ground level, where opinions are closeted, in favor of keeping a job on your own reservation, then you would do well to remember, we have always been split on this man. Nothing's changed since 1994. Nothing has changed from what has been said before:
"...he worked as a tribal lawyer for the Shoshoni. When he took over as attorney general in 1991, he angered many in that tribe and others by supporting a state constitutional amendment that banned casino-style gambling, an industry that many tribes depend on for their livelihoods. "I think that issue helped show the people of Idaho that I would do my duty. They knew it was hard for me, for the first time to be opposite the Idaho Indian tribes." Many Native Americans have hard feelings over that; only three of the state's six tribes have endorsed his candidacy so far. Says Barrett Moffett, a member of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee: "There's certainly a split within our tribe whether to vote for him or not. How he will treat the tribes of Idaho is difficult to predict."" (Time Magazine: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,981643,00.html) No reason to think memberships don't support him? Well I am a member, and I'm a land owner, I don't support him. I spoke with various friends, and they also don't support him. At the recent tribal leaders conference, you should have heard the comments after Inouye got up and basically chastised the leaders in attendence for the "opinions" about Larry's Record. Well, I have my opinion that this is too close to being detrimental to us to wait for him to be appointed to say something, "after the fact."
The problem with Larry Echohawk is that he has already demonstrated a willingness to acquiesce to the wishes of the state of Idaho when it opposed a native nation. Does anyone really think he will act differently in a more powerful position? All that he will do is add some legitimacy to the decisions that infringe on native sovereignty.
The fact that this tribal council came out in support of Echohawk only underscores the dynamics of nepotism and favoritism that plague Indian Country. Anyone who has spent even a little amount of time on the rez or in our communities knows how this works. Some council members hope to gain an audience or a little influence with people in power. They are willing to overlook someone's past actions in the hopes that they will somehow be rewarded if they keep quiet or try to silence those who won't. Look at all the shady deals, backroom agreements and closed council decisions that end up boiling over into tribal strife.
If these council members get voted out for supporting Echohawk, it won't matter because he will already be in. How are tribal members opposed to Echohawk's appointment supposed to register their dissent. It's not like most of them have the funds to travel to DC, stay in a hotel and register their dissent at a meeting.
This has been a sad process but I hope it will serve to spotlight this whole process of "kingmaking" that is continually carried out by a small elite.
"President-elect Obama has set a high bar for the transition team to execute the most efficient, organized and transparent transfer of power in American history," said John Podesta, co-chairman of the presidential transition team, in a news release.
"First, we adopted the strictest ethics guidelines ever applied to any transition team. President-elect Obama pledged to change the way Washington works, and that begins with shifting influence away from special interests and restoring it to the everyday Americans who are passionate about fixing the problems facing our country." (see "Obama appoints Native officials to transition team - Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008"
By JODI RAVE of the Missoulian)
If Tom Daschle, Senator Judd Gregg, and Nancy Killefer are not afraid to issue comments about their prospective appointments, what's wrong with Larry? According to Podesta, Obama set a high bar for transparency. Unfortunately, the bar seems too high for this transition.
The difference is that they were actual officials nominations. I'm sure that if and when Larry Echohawk is officially nominated, a statement will be issued.
Good enough, but if we can't trust Salizar's announcement at the Tribal Leadership's meeting then who can we trust?
As I recall he didn't announce it - someone from NIGA did. What do you remember?
It's been announced, get over it. Salizar announced it in DC, Innouye announced it in Temecula.
I beg to differ - there has been no offical announcement. Do you know what an official announcement means? I was there - Salazar didn't announce it. You get over yourself.
It's plain to see Indians come from two very different worlds. Some of us live on the reservation and have to live with the effects of bad policies set by the BIA on a daily basis. If you ever had to fight to get your land into trust for decades you might understand. If you ever had your land underbid by farmers or loggers who get away with paying small amounts because the BIA renews their contracts year after year without question you might feel the desperation. If you ever had to fight off racist county tax assesors and kick them off your land while waiting for your land to get put into trust you might know what it's like to feel powerless. It's no wonder apathy is rampant. If you're a tribal leader or a person in a position to advocate for people like me, you would do well to close your ears and listen with your heart.
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