How Deb Haaland, the first Native American Interior Secretary, helped empower tribes

Deb Haaland, the 54th U.S. Secretary of the Interior speaks before President Joe Biden formally apologized for abuses committed against Native boarding school students over the past century during a visit to the Gila Crossing Community School on Oct. 25, 2024.

Deb Haaland, the 54th U.S. Secretary of the Interior speaks before President Joe Biden formally apologized for abuses committed against Native boarding school students over the past century during a visit to the Gila Crossing Community School on Oct. 25, 2024.

U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, D-NM, sits at an overlook, Sunday, April 14, 2019, at Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Culture National Historical Park.

U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks to the press at the Sonoran Solar Project solar power facility on Dec. 5, 2022, in Buckeye.

U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland leaves after signing the Colorado River Indian Tribes water rights settlement, closely followed by security at the BlueWater Resort on April 26, 2024, in Parker, Ariz.

U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland’s reflection is seen in a tank of Apache Trout as she speaks at an event announcing the delisting of the Apache trout from the endangered list on Sept. 4, 2024, at Bass Pro Shops in Mesa.

Colorado River Indian Tribes Chairwoman Amelia Flores (left) and U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland sit to sign the CRIT water rights agreement at the BlueWater Resort alongside the Colorado River on April 26, 2024, in Parker, Ariz.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks to reporters during a press conference outside the Arizona Department of Water Resources building in Phoenix on Feb. 22, 2022.

U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks at an event announcing the delisting of the Apache trout from the endangered list on Sept. 4, 2024, at Bass Pro Shops in Mesa.

U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks (right), Jan. 20, 2023, during the Boarding School Healing Tour at the Gila Crossing Community School, 4665 W. Pecos Road outside of Laveen. Looking on is Assistant Secretary Indian Affairs, Bryan Newland.

Deb Haaland, the 54th U.S. Secretary of the Interior reacts before President Joe Biden formally apologized for abuses committed against Native boarding school students over the past century during a visit to the Gila Crossing Community School on Oct 25, 2024.