- Details
- By Levi Rickert
Opinion. It was difficult to not get emotional as Rep. Deb Haaland testified at her confirmation hearing to become the 54th secretary of Dept. of the Interior before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The hearing that was held over two days and three rounds of questioning produced feelings of pride and disgust.
I was proud watching and listening to Haaland, a highly qualified woman, who happens to be a 35th generation New Mexican from the Pueblo of Laguna, an attorney and a member of Congress testifying to become the first American Indian in history to serve in a presidential cabinet.
Further pride came when I realized she will, if confirmed, lead the Interior Department that houses the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) that had its origins in the War Department in 1824. It certainly does not take a genius to realize the BIA’s genesis within the War Department was not to designed benefit the well-being of our ancestors. It was to further the genocide process already underway back then.
More pride came when I remembered something Haaland said in December, on the day she was nominated to be Interior Secretary.
“This moment is profound when we consider the fact that one former Secretary of the Interior once proclaimed his goal, to quote 'to civilize or exterminate us,'" she said, referring to an 1851 remark by Interior Secretary Alexander H.H. Stuart. 'I am a living testament of the failure of that horrific ideology."
"I also stand on the shoulders of my ancestors and all the people who sacrificed so that I can be here,” she added.
More pride came when Haaland told the story on Wednesday that Navajo Code Talkers first used “Our Mother” or “Mother Earth” as the first code words for the United States as they prepared their codes to help save democracy during World War II.
“It's difficult to NOT feel obligated to protect this land and I feel that every Indigenous person in this country understands that,” she added.
Haaland’s confirmation hearing was truly historic and Indian Country was proud.
Unfortunately, not everyone is pleased by Haaland’s historic nomination, especially the Republican members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. They showed up in full force, their paternalistic and condescending behavior in full display.
Here is when disgust surfaced for me: Several of the Republican senators treated Haaland with complete disrespect. This ill treatment triggered memories of the gross disrespect Indigenous women were treated with since the arrival of Columbus and his men. Throughout the course of history, Indigenous women have been subjugated to the control of non-Native men.
Male GOP senators, particularly those from western states, hunted Haaland.
Funded by the oil and gas industry, they did not hold back on their behalf. Without listening, they told her she was wrong. The Republican senators disregarded the decorum typically afforded to a fellow lawmaker.
“I almost feel like your nomination is this proxy fight about the future of fossil fuels,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), after hearing how her Republicans colleagues conducted themselves on Tuesday.
After watching the three rounds of questioning presented by the Committee, Nedra Darling, a retired spokesperson for the Dept. of the Interior – Indian Affairs was also disgusted.
“I witnessed something that really did not sit well with me. I worked over 30 years for the federal government and have prepared many nominees in their confirmation hearings. I am so disappointed by what I saw and heard, especially from a senator that represents many wonderful Native American constituents,” Darling posted on her Facebook page referring to Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY).
Baarasso, a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and the top Republican on the Committee, attacked Haaland viciously for two days.
On Wednesday, Barrasso pressed Haaland about the Endangered Species Act, which she supported. He was upset she wanted grizzly bears left on the endangered list.
As Haaland began to respond referencing her track record of working collaboratively with local tribes, communities and scientists when it comes to the Act, Barrasso interrupted her, pointing his finger on the table and shouted, “I’m talking about the law.”
Haaland responded: “Sir, I will always follow the law.”
After the hearing on Wednesday afternoon, Sen Steve Daines (R-MT), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, vowed to block and encourage the Senate to reject Haaland’s nomination.
“The Secretary of the Interior should be a consensus-builder, with a pragmatic and well-balanced track record. I’m concerned Rep. Halaand will be unable to separate from her progressive agenda and support what's best for Montana and the West. Her hostile record towards energy, natural resources and sportsmen issues are very concerning,” Daines said in a statement.
The truth of the matter is the Republicans wanted to paint Haaland as a radical. Even in their disgusting paternalistic behavior over two days, they could not accomplish this.
What these Republican senators accomplished is a show of disrespect towards an Indigenous woman and Indian Country. Considering several of them are members of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, they should be removed from their roles.
Even with the disgust brought on by mistreatment of Haaland, I am proud that in the face of tough questioning, she treated the senators with more respect than they afforded her.
More Stories Like This
No Disrespecting the FlagThe Dilemma of the Fourth of July
Happy July Fourth From Your Friendly Local ‘Merciless Indian’
Still Here, Still Sovereign: Defending Our Lands and Our Future
The Military and Civilians
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
