South Dakota’s U.S. Senators voted against confirming former Representative Deb Haaland, as the first Native American cabinet member. Haaland is a member of New Mexico’s Laguna Pueblo. She was confirmed as Interior Secretary on Monday.
Senator John Thune says he recognizes the historic nature of Haaland’s confirmation. Thune worries about what he calls the administration’s anti-energy agenda.
Thune says that includes President Joe Biden’s rescinding of a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline and the president’s position over drilling on federal lands.
A spokesperson for Thune also says "Thune was also concerned about her responses during her confirmation hearing to questions on wildlife management, grazing, and her refusal to commit to maintaining current sportsmen’s access to public lands."
Thune's seatmate, Senator Mike Rounds, says he met with Haaland ahead of her confirmation vote.
"We discussed issues relative to northern plains tribes and specifically the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Ms. Haaland’s stance on individual and tribal trust lands, commercial and private development by tribes and tribal members on their own land, as well as her position on the BIA and its role differed greatly from mine."
Rounds says Haaland lacks “a basic understanding” of the role tribes have in making decisions that affect their lands.
However, tribal leaders are optimistic.
Oglala Sioux Tribal President Kevin Killer says Haaland has full support from the tribe. Killer says it’s a good day in Indian Country.
"Madam Secretary, you have made history by becoming the first Native American to head the Interior. We look forward to working with you," Killer says. "They have doubted our ability to lead and you have proven them wrong."
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal president Harold Frazier says Haaland’s confirmation begins an era of government-to-government communication.
"Many people do not know that the responsibility of dealing with Tribal Nations was a duty of the Department of War. For 25 years the department that was responsible for war against tribal nations was also responsible for government policies to eliminate tribal nations. Many tribal nations did survive those years," Frazier says.
"The Bureau of Indian Affairs was then transferred to the Department of Interior and we would continue to struggle with poor government policies. The future with the United States government it gives us all great pride the faith President Joe Biden has for indigenous people in forging our paths for the future generations," Frazier adds. "It is a pivotal moment to have a true Native American in such a high cabinet position."
