NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Curtison Badonie, 505-243-9199 or [email protected]

CSVANW Congratulates Congresswoman Deb Haaland for being Selected to Serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – December 17, 2020 – The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) joins the many who are celebrating history being made with Congresswoman Debra Haaland’s selection to serve as the first ever Native American Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior.

Haaland in her first term as Congresswoman for New Mexico’s District-1, having been recently re-elected this past November. In her time representing New Mexico, she has introduced several bills to strengthen federal response for Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), with the Not Invisible Act being signed into law just this year.

“This is truly a historic moment in which so many of us will remember as the beginning of a turning point for tribal communities,” said Angel Charley, executive director, CSVANW, “Deb has proven during her time as our Congresswoman that she is a champion of Indigenous rights.”

The news of President-elect Biden’s interior nomination is being commended across Indian Country where many advocates and tribal leaders urged the incoming administration to make this consequential decision. The Department of the Interior oversees the country’s extensive natural resources which include tribal lands. Haaland has been outspoken in her support of renewable energy development and the need to distance dependance on the fossil fuel industry.

“We know there is an unspoken correlation between violence against Native Women and the extractive industries,” adds Charley, “CSVANW hopes that with the acceptance of this appointment, we will see industry changes and increased safety for Indigenous women.”

If confirmed by Senate, Haaland could begin her historic appointment early in the Biden-Harris administration.

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