The White House is convening what it calls the largest gathering in history of Indian tribal leaders by a U.S. president, and Larry EchoHawk says that reveals a new era of respect and attention for tribes that may help erase past abuses and neglect.

"The best way to address the past is to honor treaty promises and respect sovereignty," said EchoHawk, assistant Interior secretary for Indian affairs and a former law professor at Brigham Young University.

"That's what this White House conference is all about: nation-to-nation dialogue, communication and consultation to improve the quality of life for Native Americans," he said Tuesday in a conference call with reporters.

President Barack Obama has invited representatives from all 564 federally recognized tribes to a daylong conference Thursday with him and his Cabinet, and more than 400 tribal representatives have said they are coming. They plan to mingle before the conference begins at a large reception Wednesday night.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Tuesday the meeting is "a monumental step" toward figuring how to address problems in Indian country from poverty to poor education and substance abuse, and shows that the administration is putting a spotlight on them and possible solutions.

Salazar said the large group does not expect to "wave a magic wand and say we've solved these problems." But he said it will identify the most pressing needs and "put together teams to work on these issues so that when all is said and done, we will have made a difference in Indian country. We are committed to making sure that happens."

EchoHawk, who is Pawnee, told reporters that the Obama administration "has been busy from day one in addressing issues affecting Indian country."

It sent him and other officials "into Indian country listening to tribal leaders speak about their needs, about their concerns, about the problems," he said. The new relationship is not just government-to-goverment, he said, but nation-to-nation, between the federal government and tribes.

Now, Obama will meet with leaders personally and, EchoHawk said, "as I've traveled across Indian country and spoken to tribal leaders, they are very, very exited to be having this opportunity to meet with the president."

Obama plans to look honestly at parts of American history when tribes were treated unfairly, and help figure how to move forward, Salazar said.

"We are not about sweeping things under the rug. We're about telling the truth, and we're about having an agenda that is proactive and positive," he said. "President Obama has made it very clear that (the nation's tribes) will be at the table."