Deb Haaland

We need to act to ensure that political expediency doesn't undermine these existing protections, which are so essential to the economic and cultural vitality of the region.

Because really when I think about the opportunities in our Native American communities, sometimes the unemployment rate is as high as 50 or 60 percent, and it just seems that those are opportunities that we could increase in those areas.

BIE must be held accountable for their inaction in response to the concerns raised about Chemawa.

I find that to be entirely unfair and unjust, but I believe that it does a great disservice to the students and staff at the school.

I am disheartened that Mr. Tahsuda and Director Dearman, both of whom were invited to testify today, chose not to come.

I am also deeply disappointed to see that BIA Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary John Tahsuda and BIE Director Tony Dearman are not here today to testify, despite an invitation from Chairman Grijalva and Chairman Gallego.

The reports of abuse, fraud, and mismanagement were deeply troubling to me as a parent, as an advocate for equity in education, and as a policy maker.

Sometimes the unemployment rate is as high as 50 or 60 percent, and it just seems that those are opportunities that we could increase in those areas.

I was just thinking--I was recently--I gave the commencement speech at the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute.

When these--when things like this happen, these contamination issues, it takes a tremendous toll on not just the person who is being affected by it but the entire community.

Every single child in this country deserves to have a quality education.

We are seeking basic information about the operation of a school that deserves to be taken seriously.

We are concerned that, had we not requested a meeting at Chemawa, we would not have gotten that response.

Not only is that an unacceptable way to receive a response, but it was also unsatisfactory--it was light on details and did not address many of our questions.

Mr. Tahsuda took full responsibility for this 'gag rule,' but did not apologize for its negative effects.

They are window dressing. Right? They are advisory boards who don't have any teeth at all.

This is a failure of the Federal Government and completely unacceptable.

It is important that we know and understand the emotion and the feeling behind it.

I can confidently tell you that no tribal leader that I have talked to understands what the agency is doing.

What happened during the reorganization was a clear breach of the Interior's policy to consult with tribes.

During the 5 months I have been in office I have met with over 300 Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and 90 percent of the time the issue they raise the most is the lack of tribal consultation prior to the Department of the…

What is your duty with respect to all of that?

It seems that we are both in agreement that if the Interior makes a unilateral decision on a policy that impacts tribes in this country, then there has not been adequate tribal consultation.

I pledge to vote against all new fossil fuel infrastructure.

I am wholeheartedly against fracking and drilling on public lands.