Indian Country artist Walter Roy “Bunky” Echo-Hawk Jr. (Pawnee Nation/Yakama Nation) faces one criminal charge for allegedly inappropriately touching a minor, according to court documents obtained by Native News Online.
The minor, who is currently under the age of 16, originally reported the behavior to a local Department of Human Services (DHS) worker on October 5, 2021 according to documents filed January 10, 2022 by the state of Oklahoma in the District Court of Pawnee County.
In an inteview with a Pawnee County DHS worker, the girl vividly recounted incidents where she was repeatedly touched inappropriately by Echo-Hawk, 46, between “from the time she was 7 or 8 until 11 or 12 years old,” but that she didn’t realize what was happening was sexual in nature until she got older.
Want more Native News? Get the free daily newsletter today.
Based on the information in the report, District Attorney of Pawnee County Mike Fisher charged Echo-Hawk with lewd or indecent acts to children under 16. The crime is a felony and punishable with three to 20 years in jail.
Echo-Hawk was arrested on Jan. 10, and released on a $10,000 bond under the condition he appear in court for his preliminary hearing on March 15. The public learned of Echo-Hawk’s arrest over the weekend from a local publication in Oklahoma. Native News Online obtained court records Monday morning to confirm the facts prior to publication.
According to court documents, Echo-Hawk denied “any and all allegations of inappropriate touching or fondling” to the DHS worker and the Pawnee police officer on the case.
Echo-Hawk’s lawyer, Dan Good at the Atkins Markoff Adler Law Firm told Native News Online that, as a matter of procedure, the court has entered a plea of not guilty on Echo-Hawk’s behalf.
Good said his client has cooperated with the investigation. “I think it’s unfortunate that these charges were filed, but we’re looking forward to his day in court,” he said.
Native News Online reported that last October, Echo-Hawk was driving when his vehicle was hit in a head-on collision. The crash injured Echo-Hawk and killed his 15 year old daughter, Alexie Heline Echo-Hawk.
As a result of the accident, the Echo-Hawk family raised over $160,000 on GoFundMe to support his recovery.
This story has been updated to protect the identity of the victim. We regret the error.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Native News Weekly (June 15, 2025): D.C. Briefs
Photographs of the Homecoming of the Three Fires Powwow
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
