In an article published on March 17, the National Catholic Reporter featured the confirmation of New Mexican Deb Haaland to the post of interior secretary. The Senate confirmed Haaland’s appointment in a vote of 50-41, making her the first Native American to lead the Interior Department. The NCR interviewed several indigenous and environmental leaders about this milestone development, including Terry Sloan, a member of the NM-IPL board of directors.

Here are excerpts:

Terry Sloan, a member of the Navajo and Hopi people and director of Southwest Native Cultures in Albuquerque, told EarthBeat in an email that Haaland’s confirmation signals “the beginning of a ‘new era’ of respectful land management and a new era of government-to-government relationships between Native American tribes.”

Sloan, who like Haaland is Catholic and first worked with her on Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, added that her upbringing in the Laguna Pueblo culture and traditions will bring a holistic Native perspective not seen before at such a high level of the federal government.

“I anticipate that the People will be heard, and action will be taken on their concerns of addressing environmental desecration to the land, air, and our sacred water,” he said.

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