Indigenous Groups Endorse Interior Secretary-Nominee Deb Haaland

Indigenous Groups Endorse Interior Secretary-Nominee Deb Haaland

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Native American advocacy groups Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, Global Indigenous Council, and Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association announced their strong endorsement for Interior Secretary-nominee Deb Haaland, a proven and unwavering warrior on Indigenous issues, including the fight to end the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls crisis.

The organizations, which represent every tribe in Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, and tribal nations in states as geographically disparate as Louisiana, Arizona, and Alaska, wrote Sens. John Tester (D-MT), Steve Daines (R-MT) and Mike Rounds (R-SD), urging swift confirmation of Rep. Haaland (D-NM) as secretary of the Interior.

“Few will be aware of this, but one of the first things Rep. Haaland did after being elected to the U.S. Congress – even before taking office – was to publicly support our national billboard campaign to raise awareness for the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) tragedy,” the groups wrote to the senators. “Throughout her tenure in Congress, Rep. Haaland has welcomed our input on MMIWG legislation and fully comprehends this ongoing and existential threat to our Indigenous cultures and communities.”

Rep. Haaland has reaffirmed her commitment to calling attention to the all-too-hidden MMIWG epidemic in order to end this tragedy for so many Native American families. “I am honored to provide full support of the Global Indigenous Council on the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women crisis. It is my privilege to support your national billboard campaign. With your help we continue to raise awareness so we can end the silence of this crisis!” Rep. Haaland stated.

Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, Global Indigenous Council, and Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association demanded a Senate confirmation hearing be scheduled immediately for Rep. Haaland and urged senators to give her the overwhelming vote of confidence she has earned.