First Native American Nominated To Department of Interior

For the first time in the history of the United States, a Native American has been nominated as the Secretary of the Interior. Deb Haaland, a congresswoman from New Mexico, is also a member of the Pueblo tribe. She’s on the House Natural Resources Committee, which oversees the Department of the Interior.

“A voice like mine has never led the Department of Interior. Growing up in my mother’s Pueblo household made me strong. I’ll fight for all of us, our planet, and protected lands. Honored and ready to serve,” Haaland tweeted after the nomination. “Her presence in the Interior would break barriers and raise awareness about our existence,” activist OJ Semens, member of the Rosebud Sioux tribe, told USA Today.

   This nomination is seen as an indication of Biden’s commitment to the environment. Under Trump, many environmental and climate protections were rolled back or entirely discarded.