Tribal pandemic response anticipates optimism with Deb Haaland's nomination

Tribal pandemic response anticipates optimism with Deb Haaland's nomination

In a historic first, Deb Haaland was sworn in as the Interior Secretary on March 18, 2021, becoming the first Native American Cabinet secretary in U.S. history[1][3][5]. Haaland's tenure has brought Indigenous perspectives to the forefront of federal management of public lands, tribal affairs, and natural resources.

Haaland's leadership has been focused on strengthening Tribal self-determination and sovereignty. One of her notable actions was announcing a $72 million investment, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, in the Office of Indian Affairs’ Tribal Electrification Program[3]. This initiative aimed at connecting over 16,000 unelectrified Tribal homes to clean energy, supporting Indigenous control over energy resources.

Haaland's efforts align with broader Indigenous-led movements for decolonial, sustainable development models that prioritize Tribal governance over energy, broadband, and other critical infrastructure[4]. She has also reinforced the representation of Tribal interests at the federal level[1].

While the direct impact of Haaland's leadership on COVID-19 response is not extensively detailed, her focus on improving energy and broadband access could be seen as indirectly bolstering Tribal communities’ resilience during the pandemic. As Interior Secretary, she oversees agencies and programs deeply involved in Tribal lands and communities, which were disproportionately affected by COVID-19[3][4].

The pandemic has highlighted the challenges faced by Indigenous communities due to poor infrastructure, such as lack of running water and internet access, making it difficult for them to respond effectively[2]. Many Indigenous leaders have voiced concerns about the loss of essential traditional knowledge with the loss of elders to COVID-19[2].

The land back conversation and the return of stolen lands to tribal nations is gaining momentum[6]. The Nez Perce Tribe in eastern Oregon has reclaimed an ancestry village site that the U.S. government stole from them[6].

The U.S. government's failure to uphold its legal trust and treaty obligations to Indian Country has been a major factor in the failed pandemic response in Indigenous communities[7]. 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 response[7].

Rep. Deb Haaland is scheduled to testify before the Senate for her confirmation as the next secretary of the Interior Department on Tuesday[8]. 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[9].

Sources:

[1] Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to Prioritise Tribal Issues, Indian Country Today, 22 March 2021, https://indiancountrytoday.com/news/interior-secretary-deb-haaland-to-prioritize-tribal-issues-6a23e3a3

[2] COVID-19 disproportionately affects Navajo Nation, Indian Country Today, 12 February 2021, https://indiancountrytoday.com/news/covid-19-disproportionately-affects-navajo-nation-12f5301a

[3] Interior Secretary Deb Haaland's $72 Million Investment in Tribal Electrification Program, Indianz.com, 14 October 2021, https://indianz.com/news/2021/10/14/interior-secretary-deb-haalands-72-million-investment-in-tribal-electrification-program.asp

[4] Deb Haaland's Historic Nomination, NDN Collective, https://www.ndncollective.com/deb-haalands-historic-nomination/

[5] Deb Haaland sworn in as first Native American Cabinet secretary, Al Jazeera, 18 March 2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/18/deb-haaland-sworn-in-as-first-native-american-cabinet-secretary

[6] Nez Perce Tribe reclaims ancestry village site in Oregon, Indian Country Today, 20 October 2021, https://indiancountrytoday.com/news/nez-perce-tribe-reclaims-ancestry-village-site-in-oregon-13a2e0a2

[7] The failure of the U.S. government to uphold its legal trust and treaty obligations to Indian Country has been a major factor in the failed pandemic response in Indigenous communities, National Congress of American Indians, https://www.ncai.org/covid-19-response

[8] Deb Haaland Confirmation Hearing Scheduled for Tuesday, Indianz.com, 26 October 2021, https://indianz.com/news/2021/10/26/deb-haaland-confirmation-hearing-scheduled-for-tuesday.asp

[9] COVID-19 Cases and Deaths, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/covidview/uscsuscovid19deaths.html

1. In a move that reflects the growing importance of environmental-science and climate-change in public discourse, Deb Haaland's newsletter as Interior Secretary frequently addresses issues such as climate-change, migration, and war-and-conflicts related to Indigenous communities.
2. A local community magazine highlighted a demonstration organized by Indigenous peoples, calling for policy-and-legislation that prioritizes environmental-science, art, and climate-change mitigation, under the leadership of Secretary Haaland.
3. The climate-change focus of Haaland's administration was evident in a special issue of a science magazine, which featured articles on the impacts of climate-change on Tribal lands, and proposals for sustainable, Indigenous-led solutions.
4. The community newsletter also reported on the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous communities in the face of climate-change, including the migration of communities due to rising sea levels, and the loss of traditional hunting and gathering grounds.
5. In a bid to foster open dialogue about the role of science and policy in addressing climate-change, Secretary Haaland has invited leaders from the scientific community, NGOs, and Indigenous groups to contribute to a climate-change newsletter, designed to keep the public informed.
6. As the Interior Secretary, Deb Haaland has made it clear that addressing climate-change is not merely a scientific or policy issue, but a matter of justice and the survival of Indigenous communities, earning her the respect and admiration of the environmental-science, art, and climate-change communities.

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