Deb Haaland: 'Of Course' I'd Be Interested In Being Biden's Interior Secretary

LOADING ERROR LOADING Rep. Deb Haaland made history in 2018 as one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress, along with Rep. Sharice Davids. “We’ve never had a Native American serve in any Cabinet position,” Bryan Newland, tribal chairman of the Bay Mills Indian Community in Michigan and a lead organizer on the letter, said Tuesday. Haaland is more than qualified and capable of serving as secretary of interior and would be a great choice.” Last month two other tribal leaders published a commentary describing the “glass ceiling in our Federal government” when it comes to Native Americans getting picked for Cabinet positions. Bill Clark/Pool via REUTERS The Interior Department is responsible for managing the country’s natural resources and honoring the federal government’s commitments to Native American tribes, which it has failed to do time and time again. “I think it’s a time in our world ― not just in our country, but our entire world ― to listen to Indigenous people when it comes to climate change, when it comes to our environment.” “The symbolism alone, yes, it’s profound.” - Rep. Deb Haaland on the idea of a Native American like herself running the Interior Department Regardless of whom Biden picks for the job, Haaland said he gets credit for starting off with the most progressive climate and environmental plan of any president.