Larry Echo Hawk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Larry Echo Hawk
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Echo Hawk in 2009
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| 11th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs | |
| In office May 22, 2009 – April 27, 2012 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Carl Artman |
| Succeeded by | Del Laverdure (acting) |
| 30th Attorney General of Idaho | |
| In office January 7, 1991 – January 2, 1995 |
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| Governor | Cecil Andrus |
| Preceded by | Jim Jones |
| Succeeded by | Al Lance |
| Member of the Idaho House of Representatives from the Bannock County district |
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| In office 1982–1986 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | August 2, 1948 Cody, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Nationality | American Pawnee Nation |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Terry Echo Hawk |
| Children | 6 |
| Education | Brigham Young University (BS) University of Utah (JD) Stanford University (MBA) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Marine Corps |
Larry J. Echo Hawk (born August 2, 1948) is an American lawyer, teacher, and politician. He is a member of the Pawnee Nation. Larry Echo Hawk served as the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs for the U.S. government. This important job helps manage programs for Native American tribes.
Before that, he was the Attorney General of Idaho from 1991 to 1995. He was the first Native American to be elected to this role in Idaho. He also served in the Idaho House of Representatives. Later, in 2012, he became a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Larry Echo Hawk was born in Cody, Wyoming, in 1948. His family is part of the Pawnee Nation. When he was young, his family moved to Farmington, New Mexico. They joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was 14.
He went to Brigham Young University on a football scholarship. He studied physical education and zoology. After college, he served for two years in the United States Marine Corps.
He then went to law school at the University of Utah, finishing in 1973. He also earned a business degree from Stanford University.
Career Highlights
Larry Echo Hawk started his law career helping Native American communities in California. In 1975, he opened his own law office. Later, he became the main lawyer for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Idaho. He also worked as a special prosecutor for the Navajo Nation.
He moved to Idaho and became active in the Democratic Party. In 1982, he was elected to the Idaho House of Representatives. He served two terms there. In 1986, he became the prosecuting attorney for Bannock County.
In 1990, Larry Echo Hawk was elected Attorney General of Idaho. This made him the first Native American to hold this position in Idaho. He worked to represent the state in legal matters.
National Politics and Teaching
During the 1992 U.S. presidential election, he helped lead Native Americans who supported Bill Clinton. He also spoke at the Democratic National Convention.
In 1994, he ran for Governor of Idaho. He won the Democratic primary election. However, he lost the main election to Phil Batt. After this, he stopped running for public office.
He then became a professor at Brigham Young University's law school. He taught classes on criminal law and federal Indian law. He also wrote many articles for legal journals. He is allowed to practice law in Idaho, Utah, and California.
Serving Native American Communities
Larry Echo Hawk has always been involved in issues important to Native Americans. He served on several boards that help Native American communities. President Bill Clinton also appointed him to a council focused on youth justice.
In 2009, President Barack Obama chose him to be the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs. This job is very important for Native American tribes. During his time in this role, the government helped tribes get more land. This helped tribes become more self-sufficient. He also helped create water agreements with tribes.
He also helped put into action the Tribal Law and Order Act. This law helps improve justice systems in tribal areas. He also helped start the Tribal Leadership Conference. This meeting brings together leaders from 566 federally recognized tribes with the U.S. President and Cabinet members every year. He left this job in 2012.
In 2019, he started working for the governor of Utah. He became a special advisor on Native American affairs.
Church Service
| Larry J. Echo Hawk | |
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| First Quorum of the Seventy | |
| March 31, 2012 – October 6, 2018 | |
| Called by | Thomas S. Monson |
| End reason | Designated emeritus General Authority |
| Emeritus General Authority | |
| October 6, 2018 | |
| Called by | Russell M. Nelson |
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Larry Echo Hawk has held many leadership roles. He has been a president of a student group, a bishop, and a high councilor.
In 2012, he was called to be a general authority and a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. This is a senior leadership position in the church. He traveled a lot, especially meeting with Latter-day Saint Native Americans. From 2013 to 2015, he served in the Philippines. He was also part of committees that help the church run smoothly. In 2018, he became an emeritus general authority.
Family Life
Larry Echo Hawk married Teresa "Terry" Pries in 1968. Their marriage took place in the Salt Lake Temple. They have six children together.
