Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland shares insights from her new memoir, A Voice Like Mine. With deep Pueblo Indian roots, Haaland’s ancestors were the original inhabitants of New Mexico and parts of the Southwest. Like her family before her, she has achieved numerous firsts in her career. In 2018, she was one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress. Later, President Joe Biden appointed her as the U.S.’s first Native American cabinet secretary, leading the Department of the Interior. Haaland now aims to become the first Native American woman elected governor of a U.S. state.
In her memoir, Haaland recounts her journey from working in a bakery to influencing policy at the national level. Raised by civil servant parents, her father was a Marine and her mother worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Despite her background, Haaland states that entering public office was a decision she made independently.
Discussing her motivation, Haaland told Morning Edition that her goal in public service is to empower people, encouraging them to pursue diverse opportunities, including running for office. “We have more of a voice than we’ve ever had, but the struggle is real,” she said. “That’s why I’m saying we need more voices at the table. We need more voices at the decision-making table.”
Reflecting on the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, Haaland feels that the treatment of citizens toward each other has “regressed.” She emphasizes that true citizenship entails a mutual obligation to care for one another and protect the land.
In a conversation with Morning Edition host A Martínez, Haaland elaborates on her book and how policy changes across different administrations impact communities. The interview was produced by Adriana Gallardo and Ava Pukatch, with Suzanne Nuyen editing the digital version.
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