Larry EchoHawk, now serving as assistant secretary for Indian Affairs in the Obama Administration, said he struggled with whether to take a post in a government that once waged war on the "first Americans." But EchoHawk, a former law professor at Brigham Young University and an expert on tribal legal affairs, told those attending Utah's annual Native American Summit this week, that he finally decided it was chance to "write a new chapter of American History," reports Patty Henetz of the Salt Lake Tribune. EchoHawk's remarks led to a standing ovation from more than 200 attendees.
EchoHawk also said he supports federal efforts to protect ancient Indian artifacts, which have been the subject of recent raids and led to a number of indictments. EchoHawk said it was difficult for him to even view photographs of artifacts looted from graves, Henetz reports.
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In other parts of the country, the welfare checks have resulted in children being taken out of their homes and put back into government custody
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