Haaland would be the first Native American to lead a Cabinet agency.
"News of her historic nomination electrified Indian Country. Tribal leaders and organizations for weeks have urged people to write and call U.S. senators..."
Rep. Deb Haaland is the first Native American nominated to serve in a cabinet position─Department of the Interior. Sen. Joe Manchin being undecided on Deb Haaland's nomination for Interior Secretary...is unconscionable. Hell, Manchin voted for an unqualified Ryan Zinke. He voted Jeff Sessions─a freaking RACIST. I see a pattern and it isn’t pretty.
Haaland confirmation hearing is today...let your Senators know how you feel.
“The historic nature of my confirmation is not lost on me, but I will say that it is not about me,’' Haaland said. “Rather, I hope this nomination would be an inspiration for Americans — moving forward together as one nation and creating opportunities for all of us.’'
She said she fully understands the role the Interior Department must play in Biden’s “build back better” plan for infrastructure and clean energy and said she will seek to protect natural resources for future generations “so that we can continue to work, live, hunt, fish, and pray among them.’'
National civil rights groups have joined forces with tribal leaders and environmental groups in supporting Haaland. A joint statement by the NAACP, UnidosUS and Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum praised her nomination as “historic” and called Haaland “a proven civil rights/racial justice advocate.”
A letter signed by nearly 500 national and regional organizations representing Native Americans, environmental justice groups and outdoor businesses called Haaland “a proven leader and the right person to lead the charge against the existential threats of our time: tackling the climate, biodiversity, extinction and COVID-19 crises and racial justice inequities on our federal public lands and waters.”
Call Your Senators
"I carry my life experiences with me everywhere I go.... If an Indigenous woman from humble beginnings can be confirmed as Secretary of the Interior, our country holds promise for everyone."