Articles

Who is Secretary Deb Haaland?

Deb Haaland is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and has Jemez Pueblo heritage. She is one of the first Native women to serve in Congress, and as the Secretary of the Interior, she is the first Native person to serve in a presidential cabinet position.

Secretary Haaland’s story is unique, but relatable. She grew up in a military family. Her father was a Marine who was awarded the Silver Star Medal, and her mother is a Navy veteran who worked for 25 years in Indian education. On her mother’s side, her grandparents were Indian boarding school survivors. In a TEDxABQ talk Secretary Haaland describes how her grandfather told her family “Assimilation would not get the better of [her].”

Through high school and most of her 20’s, Secretary Haaland worked at a bakery in Albuquerque. However, at 28, she decided to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in English at the University of New Mexico. In 1994, just four days after graduating, she gave birth to her child, Somáh.

Haaland struggled as a single mother but made the best of her circumstances. She lived paycheck-to-paycheck, relied on food stamps, and at times, stayed with friends for housing. She also worked to heal from alcohol addiction and started her own salsa company, Pueblo Salsa, which she eventually sold so she could attend the University of New Mexico Law School.

After receiving her law degree, she returned to her Tribal community. She became the first Chairwoman elected to the Laguna Development Corporation Board of Directors. She then served as a tribal administrator for the San Felipe Pueblo. By 2017, she decided to run for New Mexico’s 1st District U.S. Representative seat. Along with Representative Sharice Davids, the two women became the first Native women to ever serve in Congress.

During her time as a twice-elected Congresswoman, Haaland was a force for Native Country, passing bills focused on improving the lives and providing economic opportunities for Native families. When President Joe Biden won the 2020 election, it came as no surprise when Haaland was nominated as Secretary of the Interior. The Interior Department oversees much of the public land management, animal conservation, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

In her farewell address to Congress she said, “Growing up, Native women rarely held federal leadership positions and now little girls everywhere will know they can run for office and win. And that this country holds promise for everyone.”

Like all of us, Secretary Haaland is a culmination of her ancestors’ and her own experiences. These experiences have guided her in the work she does now to promote environmentally conscious policy, protect public lands, and advocate for our missing and murdered relatives.

To learn more about Secretary Haaland check out these resources:

Originally from Oklahoma, Summer Lewis is a Muscogee and Seminole woman who works in Tribal public health. Summer is an MPH student at the University of California-Berkeley who will graduate in 2023. She enjoys baking, beading, and being outdoors. 

Environmental Racism and Seeking Environmental Justice

In the 1970s, the Grassy Narrows Reserve in Canada, home of the...

Land Back: Because Colonialism Does Not Spark Joy

In the opening scenes of Rutherford Falls, a Native-inclusive TV series launched...

Life Is Sacred

The Judicial Branch

Sometimes, an advocacy group, business, church, or even a group of individuals...

The Executive Branch

After a bill passes both the House of Representatives and the Senate,...

Gen-I

Meet more Indigenous youth whose plans to make a difference brought them...

The Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch of the U.S. federal government makes laws. The Legislative...

Advocacy in the Three Branches of Government

The United States federal government is divided into three branches: the Executive...

Vote Indian Vote

Students from Salish Kootenai College, Pablo, Montana promote the Native American Vote.

Lessons From Standing Rock

In 2016, the water protectors at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation created...

Tis the season

Rethink the season of giving. The holidays have a way of bringing...

Community Gardens

If you’re looking for an activity that people of all ages can...

ENERGY STAR

Save Energy. Save Money. Save the Environment with Energy Star! Preserving resources...

Inter-Tribal Energy & Tech Tour

Welcome to the road trip of a lifetime! Native Americans have practiced...

We Can Change Our World

We R Native is a comprehensive health resource for Native youth, by...

Native Vote

Over 1 million eligible American Indians and Alaska Natives were not registered...

What is the history of where the G spot came from and what is it?

see answer

Find Us

Follow Us

Enter Phone Number to Subscribe:

Msg & Data Rates May Apply.
Text STOP to opt out. No purchase necessary.
Expect 4 msgs/mo.Terms and Conditions

Menu