"The historic choice would elevate a Native American to a cabinet secretary position for the first time, and do so at an agency that played a central role in the nation’s long-running abuse of native peoples."

"WASHINGTON — In a historic decision, President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. has chosen Deb Haaland, a congressional representative from New Mexico and a Native American, to lead the Interior Department, an agency that for much of the nation’s history played a central role in the dislocation and abuse of Indigenous communities from coast to coast.

Mr. Biden’s transition team announced the decision Thursday. If confirmed by the Senate, Ms. Haaland would be the first Native American to lead a cabinet-level agency. She would oversee a sprawling department responsible for some 500 million acres of public lands, including national parks, oil and gas drilling sites and endangered species habitat.

Her selection was the latest in a series of high-profile cabinet and White House advisory decisions made in recent days, including Thursday’s choice of Michael S. Regan to run the Environmental Protection Agency."

Coral Davenport reports for the New York Times December 17, 2020. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"'I’ll Be Fierce For All Of Us'" (Indian Country Today) [3]

"‘Happy Tears’: Indian Country Cheers Interior Pick" (Indian Country Today) [4]