North Carolina Democratic Party Native American Caucus Congratulate Secretary Deb Haaland

Mebane, NC, March 17, 2021 --(PR.com)-- The NCDP Native American Caucus is joyous at the support from bipartisan support for Deb Haaland to run the Interior department, which has a staff of 70,000 employees and is charged with overseeing the country’s natural resources. The agency manages nearly 500 million acres of land, or one-fifth of the surface area of the United States. This vote makes the second-term Democrat the first Native American to hold a spot in the White House Cabinet in U.S. history. NCDP Native American Caucus President, Crystal Cavalier said in an interview, “This is a great day for women tribal leaders across turtle island.” Secretary Haaland’s confirmation would fill one of the few remaining vacancies in Biden’s Cabinet, nearly two months after he was sworn in. In her first year in Congress, Haaland introduced more bills with a co-sponsor from another party than any other House freshman, according to GovTrack, which also rates her the 10th most politically left member of Congress. The irony of the current situation is that long before the women’s suffrage and centuries before European nations stumbled across America, women’s equality and leadership thrived among many Native American nations.

Cavalier-Keck stated, “American Indian women have a rich history of political involvement in the life of their communities. Their struggles to attain tribal sovereignty, preserve their cultures, and manage native lands and natural resources are unique to their status as colonized indigenous peoples.” Prior to colonialism, the communal governance structures of many Native nations granted women respect and authority; exemplary of the gender egalitarianism practiced by many Native societies. In order to revolutionize systems and inspire transformational change we need to invest in Native Women in business. The NCDP Native American Caucus is promoting and convening our tribal communities to build a coalition while honoring our culture, creativity, and connections. A better path forward includes Native women in leadership positions, be it at the local, tribal or national level. We are looking forward to Secretary Haaland pledge to work on repairing the U.S. federal government’s relationship with Native American tribes.

About the NCDP Native American Caucus
The NCNAC will enhance political and public awareness, education, involvement and civic responsibility among Native Americans; help promote public awareness of the political status of tribal nations through media education; help promote voter registration and outreach and encourage Native Americans to exercise their rights to vote and to run for public office; and help identify issues of concern to Native Americans and pursue solutions through the democratic process. Democratic Native American members represent many tribal voices throughout the state, including Cherokee, Coharie, Haliwa Saponi, Lumbee, Meherrin, Occaneechi Saponi, Sappony, Waccamaw Siouan and many other non-recognized tribal nations.