Biden: Federal government ‘has long-broken promises to Native American tribes’

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President-elect Joe Biden said Saturday that the US government “broke long-ago promises made to Native American tribes,” in comments officially declaring Rep. Deb HaalandDebra Haaland OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Government scientists predicted the construction of a boundary wall could be harmful to nature reserve | Haaland nomination sparks excitement in Native American communities | Trump officials falsely awarded Alaska grant in attempt to open Tongass The Hill’s Morning Report – presented by Mastercard – COVID-19 relief, omnibus talks go to thread Haaland nomination generates excitement in Native American communities MORE (DN.M.) as his choice of Secretary of the Interior, making her the first Native American to be selected for a cabinet position.

“The federal government has long broken promises to Native American tribes who have been on this land since time immemorial, “Biden said as he announced his nominees to join his climate team.

“With her nomination, Congressman Haaland will help me strengthen the nation-nation relationship,” added the former vice president.

Haaland, who was supported to take the role by a number of progressive groups and tribes, said in her comments Saturday, “this moment is profound when we consider that a former interior minister once proclaimed his goal of ‘civilizing or exterminating us [Native Americans]. ”

“I am living proof of the failure of that horrific ideology,” added the Democratic representative.

Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, was one of the first two Native American women to be elected to Congress, alongside Rep. Sharice DavidsSharice DavidsOvernight Energy: Biden makes historic choice with Haaland for Interior | Biden planned to speak to a North Carolina official about EPA | Gina McCarthy breaks new ground as White House climate leader Biden makes historic choice with Haaland to be Secretary of the Interior OVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats force Biden to elect Haaland as next Secretary of the Interior | Trump board proposal focuses on bank pledges to avoid fossil fuel financing | Wasserman Schultz presents climate plan in race for chair MORE (D-Kan.), And was an early financier of the Green New Deal.

In an official statement After news of her planned nomination Thursday, Haaland said, “A voice like mine has never been a cabinet secretary or head of the Interior Ministry.”

“It is a deep reflection on the history of this country’s policy of exterminating Indians and the resilience of our ancestors who gave me a place here today,” she continued.

Haaland added in the statement, “As our country faces the effects of climate change and environmental injustice, the Home Office has a role and I will be a partner in addressing these challenges by protecting our public lands and moving our country towards a future with clean energy. ”

If confirmed, Haaland will likely deliver a turnaround for the sprawling 70,000-strong agency that has rolled back protections for the environment and endangered species and expanded oil and gas drilling under the current administration. Biden has pledged to ban any new oil and gas lease on public lands, likely requiring action from the Interior Department.

Biden also introduced his other choices for shaping climate policy under his administration on Saturday, including former Michigan Gov. Jennifer GranholmJennifer GranholmBiden: Federal Government ‘Has Long Broken Promises to Indian Tribes’ Preview Sunday Shows: US Rolls Out First Doses of Coronavirus Vaccine; Congress secures stimulus deal Biden’s energy and climate agreements: a return to ‘the swamp’ MORE (D) for Secretary of Energy and North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael Regan to serve as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Regan, 44, would be the first black man to lead the EPA if confirmed.

Biden also chose environmental attorney Brenda Mallory as his choice to lead the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). She would be the first black person to lead the CEQ.

Saturday’s president-elect also pointed to the former EPA administrator Gina McCarthyRegina (Gina) McCarthyOvernight Energy: Biden makes historic choice with Haaland for Interior | Biden planned to speak to a North Carolina official about EPA | Gina McCarthy breaks new ground as White House climate leads Biden’s energy and climate nominations: a return to ‘the swamp’ Biden appoints North Carolina’s top environmental officer to lead EPA MORE as his choice to lead the newly formed White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy, and climate expert and longtime Biden adviser Ali Zaidi as deputy national climate adviser. Zaidi is the highest-ranking Pakistani-American to be appointed to his administration by Biden.

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