Deb Haaland and Her Memoir ‘A Voice Like Mine’

Deb Haaland, former Interior Secretary, discusses her recently published memoir, A Voice Like Mine. Haaland’s roots in the Pueblo Indian community go back long before the United States was established. Her ancestors originally inhabited New Mexico and the surrounding Southwest areas.

Throughout her career, Haaland has achieved numerous historic milestones. In 2018, she was elected to Congress, making her one of the first two Native American women to do so. Later, President Joe Biden appointed her as Secretary of the Interior, making her the first Native American to hold a cabinet position in the U.S. government. Currently, she is pursuing the goal of becoming the first Native American woman elected as a governor of a U.S. state.

In her memoir, Haaland narrates her personal and professional journey, transitioning from a job in a bakery to influencing significant policies. Raised by parents dedicated to public service — her father a Marine and her mother a Bureau of Indian Affairs employee — Haaland found her own path to political engagement. She emphasizes the importance of increasing representation in decision-making roles, saying, “We have more of a voice than we’ve ever had, but the struggle is real.” She highlights the need for more voices around the decision-making table.

Haaland expressed concern about the regression in how Americans treat each other, especially as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary of independence. She believes that citizens must share the responsibility of caring for one another and the environment. During her conversation with host A Martínez on Morning Edition, Haaland talks about the impact of changing government policies on communities.

The interview, produced by Adriana Gallardo and Ava Pukatch and edited by Suzanne Nuyen, provides further insight into Haaland’s experiences and aspirations. You can listen to the complete interview via the link provided in the original source.