Tribal communities rejoice at the prospect of Haaland's appointment, envisioning improved handling of the pandemic crisis.
In a historic move, Rep. Deb Haaland is set to become the first Native American to serve as Secretary of the Interior. If confirmed, she will also make history as the first woman to hold this position.
The U.S. government's failure to uphold its legal trust and treaty obligations to Indian Country has been a significant factor in the failed pandemic response in these communities, according to the Center for American Progress. Poor infrastructure, such as lack of running water and internet access, has compounded the problems faced by Indigenous communities during the pandemic.
However, under Haaland's tenure (2021–2025), a shift towards a more culturally empowered and autonomous Indigenous COVID-19 response has been observed. Haaland's focus on recognizing and advancing tribal sovereignty was evident through her support for tribes managing their resources, law enforcement, and governance according to their own laws and traditions.
One of Haaland's notable achievements was a $72 million investment through the Office of Indian Affairs' Tribal Electrification Program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. This investment aimed at developing electricity infrastructure and connecting unelectrified Tribal homes to clean energy sources—critical for improving health and safety during the pandemic. This approach empowered tribes to enhance essential services like telehealth and broadband access, addressing the digital divide that affects health communication and remote education in Indigenous communities.
Haaland's tenure marked a shift toward decolonial models that respect tribal authority, fostering Indigenous-led solutions to both public health crises and long-standing systemic inequalities. For instance, the Nez Perce Tribe in eastern Oregon has reclaimed an ancestry village site that the U.S. government stole from them in breaking an 1855 treaty.
However, Haaland's confirmation was not without opposition. Some of her most-staunch opponents include Sen. Steve Daines and Sen. John Barrasso. Despite this, the possibilities are endless should Haaland become the next secretary of the Interior, according to Indigenous advocates on the ground.
The COVID-19 death toll continues to rise in the Navajo Nation, with at least 1,144 deaths reported at the time of publishing. The highly contagious coronavirus has hit Indigenous communities in the U.S. at 3.5 times the rate of non-Hispanic white people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many Indigenous leaders have voiced concerns about the loss of essential traditional knowledge with the loss of elders to COVID-19.
The LANDBACK movement advocates for the return of stolen lands to tribal nations that are owed. Jade Begay, the climate justice campaign director for NDN Collective, is excited about the possibility of a potential Sec. Haaland entertaining the idea of returning land to its rightful caretakers: the Indigenous.
Wayne Ducheneaux, the executive director of the Native Governance Center, believes that a secretary of the Interior who understands tribal sovereignty could change the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic response. Traditional ecological knowledge is recognized as key to addressing the climate crisis by the scientific community.
It is clear that Haaland's confirmation as Secretary of the Interior had a significant positive impact on Indigenous COVID-19 response and the recognition of tribal sovereignty. Her tenure brought Indigenous perspectives and priorities to the forefront of federal policy, promoting tribal sovereignty, Indigenous self-determination, and sustainable development aligned with tribal values.
- Under Haaland's tenure as Secretary of the Interior, a more culturally empowered and autonomous Indigenous COVID-19 response has been observed.
- Haaland's focus on recognizing and advancing tribal sovereignty was evident through her support for tribes managing their resources.
- One of Haaland's notable achievements was a $72 million investment through the Office of Indian Affairs' Tribal Electrification Program.
- This investment aimed at developing electricity infrastructure and connecting unelectrified Tribal homes to clean energy sources.
- The LANDBACK movement advocates for the return of stolen lands to tribal nations that are owed, and Jade Begay is excited about the possibility of a potential Sec. Haaland entertaining this idea.
- Wayne Ducheneaux believes that a Secretary of the Interior who understands tribal sovereignty could change the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic response.
- The COVID-19 death toll continues to rise in the Navajo Nation, with at least 1,144 deaths reported, highlighting the need for Indigenous-led solutions to public health crises.
- Indigenous perspectives and priorities were brought to the forefront of federal policy during Haaland's tenure, promoting tribal sovereignty, Indigenous self-determination, and sustainable development aligned with tribal values.
