It’s not that native women haven’t tried. Ada Deer tried. Kalyn Free tried. Denise Juneau tried a couple years ago, I’m not exceptional. I didn’t grow up with privilege. I almost feel like my winning is a shout out to democracy everywhere.
History has been made once again as Haaland alongside Sharice Davids become the first ever Native American women to be elected into congress. Haaland, former chairwoman of New Mexico’s Democratic Party, won New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District after she defeated Republican Janice Arnold Jones.
Haaland was born on the 2nd of December, 1960 in Winslow, Arizona. Her late Norwegian American father was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps; and her Native American mother served in the United States Navy. Haaland has 3 sisters and a brother.
She graduated in 1994 obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of New Mexico and a Juris Doctor in Indian law from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2006. She is a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe.
In 2012, Haaland served as the state’s vote director for Native Americans for Barack Obama’s reelection campaign; and from January 2013 to November 2015,She served as the tribal administrator for the San Felipe Pueblo. .
Haaland’s focus includes advocating Medicare for All, $15 minimum wage, subsidizing early childhood care and education and protecting and expanding an Obama-era immigration policy. she is very passionate about the environment and promoting clean, renewable energy. She also wants to give Native Americans more representation at every given opportunity on key issues, including the environment and health care.
Haaland is a single mother to a Daughter.
