John EchoHawk facts for kids
John E. Echohawk (born August 12, 1945) is a Pawnee Native American lawyer. He started the Native American Rights Fund in 1970. This group helps protect the rights of Native American people. He is also a leader in the movement for Native American self-determination. In 2024, he joined the American Philosophical Society.
Early Life and Education
John E. Echohawk was born on August 12, 1945. He is a member of the Pawnee tribe. In 1970, he earned his law degree. He was the first Native American to graduate from the University of New Mexico School of Law. John wanted to use his legal skills to help Native Americans. He saw that many people needed help understanding their rights and laws.
Helping Native American Rights
John Echohawk has a brother named Larry Echo Hawk. Larry is also a lawyer and a politician. He served as Idaho's Attorney General. He also led the Bureau of Indian Affairs for President Barack Obama. John encouraged Larry to study law too.
John Echohawk helped President Obama when he first took office. He was part of a team that focused on Native American issues. The Obama administration even thought about making him a judge. John's cousin, Walter Echo-Hawk, is also a lawyer. He worked with John at the Native American Rights Fund. Walter helped create the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. This law protects Native American burial sites and sacred objects.
Native American Rights Fund
After law school, John Echohawk helped start the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) in 1970. NARF is a non-profit law firm. It works to protect the rights of Native American tribes. It is similar to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Both groups fight for the civil rights of minority groups.
NARF focuses on several important goals:
- Keeping tribes strong and recognized.
- Protecting tribal lands and natural resources.
- Making sure human rights are respected.
- Holding governments accountable for their promises.
- Making Native American law stronger.
- Teaching people about Native American rights and laws.
Through NARF, John Echohawk has helped achieve many successes. These include getting governments to recognize tribal sovereignty. This means tribes have the right to govern themselves. He also helped pass the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
In August 2023, John Echohawk received a special award. The American Bar Association gave him the Thurgood Marshall Award. This award honors people who work for civil rights and justice.
