WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo leaders gave the following statements after the United States Senate voted Monday to confirm former-Representative Debra Haaland to Secretary of the US Department of the Interior.

Speaker Seth Damon (Bááháálí, Chichiltah, Manuelito, Tsé Łichíí’, Rock Springs, Tsayatoh) said: “The Senate’s confirmation today of Congresswoman Debra Haaland to lead the US Department of the Interior demonstrates progress for all Tribal Nations and is a milestone in United States history. Throughout the past few weeks, the entire country has heard how Haaland worked across party lines to build common understanding and to pass strong legislation. Her voice in Congress will be missed, but under the Biden-Harris Administration, we look forward to a new approach by the Federal Government to listening directly to the Navajo People and all Tribal Communities.”

Council Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton (Shiprock) said: “Today, Indian Country is witnessing history in the making. Congresswoman Deb Haaland has been appointed the first American Indian to lead the Department of Interior and is also the first American Indian to hold a position in any President’s Cabinet. It is certainly a win-win for Indian Country and an honor to know that such an important position is being headed, not only by an American Indian, but an American Indian woman, who has lived the life that many of us have lived. Ms. Haaland understands the reservation life, how many of us continue to have no running water, no electricity, minimal broadband connection, bad roads, and the fight to protect our natural resources. As a Delegate for the Navajo Nation, I look forward to working with Ms. Haaland and being at the table, working to address the much needed services that our tribal communities have been advocating for these past 100 years.”

Haaland’s confirmation follows her nomination by President Joseph Biden in February. She is the first person of Native American descent to be nominated and confirmed to the position of interior secretary.

Navajo leaders discussed supporting Haaland’s confirmation in recent weeks at the Naabik’íyáti’ Committee of the Navajo Nation Council. Council delegates examined Haaland’s public positions and acknowledged ongoing land and resource issues that require the involvement of the US DOI.

“The Navajo Nation recognizes this historic moment and we thank President Biden, Vice President Harris and our US Senators for supporting the first American Indian-Native American to this important Cabinet position. Seeing and hearing of Haaland’s bipartisan approach in Congress gives us the assurance that she’ll be well-suited to listening to both or all sides of issues important to the Navajo Nation and Navajo communities,” said Council Delegate Nathaniel Brown (Chilchinbeto, Dennehotso, Kayenta).

Alongside Haaland’s nomination and confirmation process, the Navajo Nation began considering new legislation establishing the formal positions of the Navajo Nation on current federal policies.

The legislation, No. 0024-21, asserts Navajo Nation tribal sovereignty, supports additional Covid-19 relief, outlines specific regulatory concerns, continues veterans advocacy, establishes federal public safety recommendations and other key federal issues. Each of the 21 proposed positions on federal policy areas includes the direct and indirect involvement of at least one of the US DOI’s agencies.

The Navajo Nation Code gives the Naabik’íyáti’ Committee the sole power to establish the Navajo Nation’s official position on the Navajo People’s behalf regarding state and federal legislation and policymaking. That process is carried out under the Navajo Nation legislative process, which includes public comment, discussion, and opportunities for amendment by Council delegates before a final vote on the legislation.

NAVAJO OPVP PRESS RELEASE – Deb Haaland becomes the first Native American confirmed to lead the U.S. Department of the Interior

WINDOW ROCK, AZ (3.15.21) – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer are pleased to congratulate Deb Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna, in becoming the first Native American to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior under the Biden-Harris Administration.

“This is an unprecedented and monumental day for all First People of this country. Words cannot express how overjoyed and proud we are to see one of our own confirmed to serve in this high-level position. It’s a wonderful feeling that we can now refer to her as Madam Secretary. Today’s historic confirmation sets us on a better path to righting the wrongs of the past with the Federal government and inspires hope in our people, especially our young people. It gives us a seat at the table to offer a new and different perspective from a person that has experienced the reality of adversities and challenges of growing up on what Federal officials refer to as ‘Indian reservations.’ On behalf of First Lady Phefelia Nez and our family, we congratulate Secretary Haaland and her family,” said President Nez.

In November, President Nez publicly supported Congresswoman Haaland’s nomination stating, “As a member of Congress, she has been a strong voice for all tribal nations and the people of New Mexico on a wide variety of issues including land management, clean energy, economic development, social justice, and job creation. Her ability to weigh the issues from social, economic, and political standpoints is unique and something that is not easily found.”

Vice President Myron Lizer joined President Nez praising Secretary Haaland’s appointment stating, “Second Lady Dottie Lizer and I congratulate Secretary Haaland and look forward to working with her and the rest of our Federal partners to address some of the challenges related to the protection of Federal lands, water resources, education, and many others. To have one of our Native American people in this prestigious position is heartwarming and long overdue.”

FEDERAL PRESS RELEASE – SCHATZ COMMENDS CONFIRMATION OF DEB HAALAND AS SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR: Haaland is the First Native American Cabinet Secretary in U.S. History

WASHINGTON (3.15.21) – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, released the following statement on Congresswoman Deb Haaland’s confirmation as the country’s first Native American Cabinet Secretary to lead the Department of the Interior.

“Congratulations to Secretary Haaland on her historic confirmation as the first Native American to lead the Department of the Interior. Her leadership on public lands and waters, natural resources management, and climate action as well as her deep connections to Native communities will benefit all Americans,” said Chairman Schatz. “It’s clear Secretary Haaland shares my commitment to consultation with Native leaders to address the real challenges facing Native communities across the country. I look forward to working with her on our shared obligation to uphold the U.S. trust responsibility to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.”

PRESS RELEASE – National Native organization responds to confirmation of Deb Haaland as Interior Secretary

Washington, DC (3.15.21) —Today, the United States Congress confirmed the appointment of Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) for the U.S. Secretary for the Department of the Interior, making her the first Native American to serve in the U.S. cabinet. The following statement from Judith Le Blanc (Caddo), director of Native Organizers Alliance, an organization dedicated to building a civic engagement support network of Native leaders and grassroots organizers, can be quoted in-part or in-full.

“The impact of Deb Haaland’s confirmation as Secretary of the Interior can’t be understated. For the first time, we will have a person who looks like us and who, like us, shares a deep understanding of our ancestral responsibilities to care for the sacred lands and waters of this country.

For thousands of years before settlers arrived, our Native ancestors protected and cultivated our lands, a commitment which must be shared by all who live on this land. We pray for the earth as a living being, and understand we must work together to maintain balance with the natural world. This isn’t something we have to explain to Secretary Haaland. Our shared experiences connect us.

Given her vast experience in natural resources and tribal sovereignty, we hope that Secretary Haaland will help shape a new era where tribes are informed long before decisions are made, and give consent at all phases of the project.

For too long, pipelines, large-scale infrastructure projects like dams, mining, and more, have been pushed through without proper consultation with, and the consent of, tribal nations. Many times, this is in direct violation of the treaties and the U.S. Constitution. The end result of this flawed process is degraded and destroyed sacred lands, waters, fish, and wildlife. When our natural resources are carefully managed and protected, we all benefit.

As an organization dedicated to uplifting the voices and supporting the rights of Native nations across the U.S., we call on the Department of Interior to protect our sacred places, especially Bears Ears, the Grand Canyon, Chaco Canyon, the Arctic, Mauna Kea, Missouri River and Oak Flat.

The work ahead to protect our sacred places is the work our ancestors began long before us. It is an historic moment to have a Laguna Pueblo woman in this leadership position who shares our understanding of the sanctity of our natural resources. We look forward to the department forging new and stronger relationships with sovereign tribal nations.”