Update on May 17th, 2021
On Monday, March 15th, the Senate confirmed Rep. Deb Haaland as interior secretary, making her the first Native American in U.S. history to serve in a president's Cabinet. The vote was 51-40.
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On Thursday, December 17th, President-elect Joe Biden selected New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland as his nominee for interior secretary, making her the first Native American to lead the department. Biden's choosing a Native American to head the agency is significant; the department deals with matters like Indian Affairs, Indian Education, and Land Management.
However, Haaland's win was an uphill battle. Despite weeks of support from leaders in the Native American community, some of Biden's advisers anonymously campaigned against her.
“But her lack of policy experience worries some Biden advisers, who have suggested another Native American candidate: Michael L. Connor, a deputy interior secretary in the Obama administration, whose experience is unquestioned,” reads a New York Times piece in late November.
Another anonymous source told The Hill that "Haaland’s endorsement by progressive groups could complicate her confirmation process, while Connor, who was Senate-confirmed in 2014, could offer the same historic weight by placing a Native American in charge of a department with great responsibility to tribes."
Haaland's supporters were understandably angered by the deprecating remarks made by Biden's advisers. “Of course it’s offensive to say she’s not qualified,” said Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), who is the chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
In spite of the fierce campaigning against her by those in Biden's circle, Rep. Haaland goes on to make history. Haaland tweeted after the pick was made public that “A voice like mine has never been a Cabinet secretary or at the head of the Department of Interior. Growing up in my mother’s Pueblo household made me fierce. I’ll be fierce for all of us, our planet, and all of our protected land. I am honored and ready to serve."
A voice like mine has never been a Cabinet secretary or at the head of the Department of Interior.
— Deb Haaland (@DebHaalandNM) December 18, 2020
Growing up in my mother’s Pueblo household made me fierce. I’ll be fierce for all of us, our planet, and all of our protected land.
I am honored and ready to serve.
Haaland's triumph will be marked as a turning point for the U.S. government’s relationship with Natives. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez called the win “truly a historic and unprecedented day for all Indigenous people.”
Sources
Ellen Knickmeyer, "Rep. Deb Haaland Picked as First Native American to Oversee Tribes and Federal Lands as Secretary of the Interior" Time, 17 December 2020
Jennifer Bendery, "Tribes Want Deb Haaland For Interior Secretary. Some Biden Advisers Are Trying To Thwart Her." Huffpost, 7 December 2020
Rebecca Beitsch, "Haaland has competition to be first Native American to lead Interior" The Hill, 2 December 2020
