Haaland OK’d as 1st Native American Cabinet head

WASHINGTON» The Senate on Monday confirmed New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland as interior secretary, making her the first Native American to lead a Cabinet department and the first to lead the federal agency that has wielded influence over the nation’s tribes for nearly two centuries.

Haaland was confirmed by a 51-40 vote.

Democrats and tribal groups hailed Haaland’s confirmation as historic, saying her selection means that Indigenous people — who lived in North America before the United States was created — will for the first time see a Native American lead the powerful department where decisions on relations with the nearly 600 federally recognized tribes are made. Interior also oversees a host of other issues, including energy development on public lands and waters, national parks and endangered species.

“Rep. Haaland’s confirmation represents a gigantic step forward in creating a government that represents the full richness and diversity of this country,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. “Native Americans for far too long have been neglected at the Cabinet level and in so many other places.”

Haaland’s nomination has been closely watched by tribal communities across the country, with some virtual parties drawing hundreds of people to watch her two-day confirmation hearing last month.

Many Native Americans see Haaland, 60, as someone who will elevate their voices and protect the environment and tribes’ rights. Her selection break a twocentury pattern of non-Native officials, mostly male, serving as the top federal official over American Indian affairs. The federal government often worked to dispossess tribes of their land and, until recently, to assimilate them into white culture.

“I’m beside myself,” Regina Lopez Whiteskunk said after hearing that Haaland was confirmed.

Lopez Whiteskunk, a former tribal council member of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in southwest Colorado, said Haaland’s confirmation as the first Native American U.S. cabinet secretary demonstrates the dignity and resilience of Indigenous people despite the atrocities and traumas they have endured. Haaland won’t have to be educated about the importance of public lands and other issues to tribes, she added.

“Public lands are public lands and they belong to all of us, but we have to remember and acknowledge that these public lands have strong ties to the Indigenous peoples, whether it’s through ceremonial values or stories,” Lopez Whiteskunk said. “We still live with a lot of our cultural customs and how we utilize the plants, the animals, the water — the environment is important.”

Although Haaland faced tough questioning from senators who challenged her stances on climate change and limiting drilling on public lands, Lopez Whiteskunk said she had faith the congresswoman would be confirmed.

“She’s a tough gal and she’s very smart,” said Lopez Whiteskunk, who has met Haaland. “What she brings to the table is two forms of education: her cultural and Indiginous education as well as her formal education.”

Some Republican senators have criticized Haaland’s views on oil drilling and other energy development as “radical” and extreme, citing her opposition to the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso said Haaland’s “extreme views” and support of “catastrophic legislation” such as the Green New Deal would make her confirmation as interior secretary disastrous, harming America’s energy supply and economy.