**Historic Appointment Brings Change: Deb Haaland's Legacy as First Indigenous Interior Secretary**

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Nestled near the National Mall, the expansive Stewart Udall Department of Interior Building serves as a gateway to the heritage of the Old West. Within its walls, Secretary Deb Haaland works with a deep connection to her ancestors and the U.S. government's historical assimilation policies.

As the first Native American to hold a cabinet position, Haaland daily reflects on the experiences of her forebears, including her grandparents who labored on the railroads for decades due to these policies aimed at integrating Native Americans into mainstream society.

Haaland has led the Department of Interior for almost four years under President Biden, who notably became the first president to appoint an Indigenous cabinet secretary. This administration also formally apologized for forced assimilation policies, with Haaland traveling to the Gila River Indian Community to deliver the message. Her recent efforts have been highly visible, particularly addressing swing state tribes benefiting from unprecedented federal investments.

Managing the sprawling Department of Interior, overseeing about 500 million acres of public land, Haaland has focused on rectifying historical injustices. Significant initiatives include concluding a nationwide tour addressing the traumatic legacy of Indian boarding schools, an effort central to Biden's apology. This history personally resonates with Haaland, whose grandmother endured the harsh conditions of a Catholic boarding school designed to suppress indigenous culture.

Under her leadership, tribal co-management agreements have surged tenfold since 2021, positioning Indigenous tribes as vital stakeholders in public land management. Her efforts aim to acknowledge the tribes' historical roles as stewards of the land and have earned accolades from various Native American leaders, including Chuck Hoskin Jr., principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Despite facing criticisms, from drilling regulations on the Navajo Reservation to mining operations in Nevada, Haaland emphasizes the complexities of her role and the longstanding nature of many projects she inherited. Additionally, her work on the Not Invisible Act—established to tackle the crisis of missing and murdered Native people—has drawn calls for swifter action, yet Haaland stresses the deeply rooted nature of these issues.

As her term progresses, Haaland highlights the transformative $45 billion investment for tribal communities, aimed at essential services like clean water and electricity. Through these efforts, she hopes to create lasting improvements for Native Americans, setting a high standard for future administrations to continue empowering Indian Country.

Haaland's tenure represents a significant shift in how federal leadership approaches Native American affairs, symbolizing progress and hope for a better, more inclusive future.