Debra Haaland

Debra Haaland (born December 2, 1960) is an American politician who currently serves as the U.S. Representative for New Mexico’s 1st congressional district since 2019 and was a former Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico from 2015 to 2017. She is one of two Native American women in Congress, alongside Sharice Davids, and she is also the first Native American Cabinet Secretary appointed by President Joe Biden on March 18th 2021 to serve as his Interior Secretary .

Background

Haaland was born in Winslow, Arizona and grew up working-class with her single mother Mary Toya, grandmother Dora Loretto Pino Martinez and six siblings at their ancestral homelands near Albuquerque’s Sandia Mountains. Her father Louis Taylor served in World War II where he earned a Purple Heart medal before returning home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Raised without formal religious training or education but steeped in traditional Laguna teachings — respect for Mother Earth being chief among them — Haaland eventually attended UNM and graduated cum laude with degrees political science/pre-law & sociology/criminal justice . After college she worked odd jobs including bartending until joining Democrats beginning 2003 when she became chairperson of NM’s Bernalillo County Democracy party organization which oversaw most populous county surrounding Albuquerque city limits . At same time after years advocating against war policies leading protests abroad & locally , joined Obama Administration’s Department Of Energy Tribal Energy Program Advisory Committee helping tribes secure resources needed build energy infrastructure such renewable wind gas solar power plants creating economic development opportunities while making progress reducing carbon emissions environmental protection efforts nationwide till 2011 when committee disbanded following end his presidency term 2012..

Political Career

In 2014 ran unsuccessfully state public lands commissioner post losing Republican candidate Aubrey Dunn Jr., then again 2016 bid Lieutenant Governor ticket running mate Howie Morales ultimately lost Gov Susana Martinez GOP right-wing forces; however 2018 saw big break becoming US House Representatives District 1 seat flipping Democrat blue winning majority votes over Janice Arnold Jones result historic success becoming first ever female Natives Americans elected either chamber National Legislature beating out 3 other candidates race narrative focusing issues veterans healthcare gun violence environment climate change LGBTQ rights equal pay gender equality etc…. During tenure Washington DC has consistently voted progressive liberal policy matters supporting Medicare For All bills minimum wage hikes student loan forgiveness programs reining police departments across country well now face confirmation hearings Senate confirm position new Cabinet Secretary Interior department role expects oversee vast array national parks monuments wildlife preserve ensuring conservation land management standards maintained safeguarding diversity ecosystems promoting tribal sovereignty respective nation relations amongst many responsibilities sure come way future…

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