Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this article incorrectly described Rep. Deb Haaland’s status. In 2018, she was one of the first two Indigenous women elected to Congress in the continental U.S.
As a growing number of tribal and Native community leaders rally around Interior Secretary-designate Deb Haaland, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly said he would vote to confirm her when the Senate takes up the nomination.
Haaland, a New Mexico Democrat, was one of the first two enrolled female tribal members in the continental U.S. to be elected to Congress and would be the first Indigenous Interior secretary if her nomination is confirmed. A member of Laguna Pueblo who says she’s a 35th generation New Mexican, she had recently been sworn in for her second term in Congress.
Native American policy experts and Arizona lawmakers welcomed President Joe Biden’s order calling for stronger relations with tribal governments, with one saying it "goes right along with what Indian country has been asking for."
Advocates, lawmakers hail Biden pledge to respect tribal sovereignty President Joe Biden on Tuesday signs a memorandum strengthening nation-to-nation relationships and directing federal agencies to more closely coordinate with tribes. The memo revives similar efforts from the Clinton and Obama administrations, but advocates called it a welcome change after the Trump administration. (Source: White House) By Sarah Oven | January 28, 2021 at 12:18 PM MST - Updated January 28 at 12:18 PM
WASHINGTON – Native American policy experts and Arizona lawmakers welcomed President Joe Biden’s order calling for stronger relations with tribal governments, with one saying it “goes right along with what Indian country has been asking for.”
Courtesy of the Tohono O odham Nation
Since supporters of President Donald Trump overtook and looted the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, tribal leaders who cast some of Arizona s electoral votes have spoken out.
Tohono O odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris Junior and Vice Chairwoman Wavalene Saunders called the violence at the Capitol disgraceful. This assault was stoked by a president who has demonstrated his utter contempt for his responsibilities as an elected leader, according to a press release from the Tohono O odham leaders. [Trump s] incitement of yesterday’s riots serves as a final stain on his legacy of failed leadership.
They emphasized the country s diversity and the role Indigenous peoples played in developing freedoms of speech and separation of powers.
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