Archaeology Southwest Applauds Congresswoman Haaland’s Nomination as Secretary of the Interior

Tucson, Ariz. (December 18, 2020)—Yesterday, Congresswoman Debra Haaland (NM-1) was announced as the Secretary of the Interior nominee by President-elect Joe Biden. Archaeology Southwest welcomes and strongly supports Representative Haaland’s nomination.

“If ever a federal agency were in need of a dramatic change in leadership philosophy, it is the current Department of the Interior,” said William H. Doelle, Archaeology Southwest’s President and CEO. “Having a Native American citizen lead this important agency is long overdue.

“Representative Haaland has proven her deep commitment to the nation’s public lands. She is hardworking and values-driven. We very much look forward to working with her and with the staff at both the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.”

Paul F. Reed, Preservation Archaeologist and Chaco Scholar, added: “Representative Haaland is the perfect choice for this critical cabinet post, and I know she will go to work immediately to fix the serious problems the outgoing administration has caused. Chaco Canyon has very special significance for Rep. Haaland as a Laguna Pueblo member, and her record shows that she is determined to provide greater protection for Chaco and the Greater Chaco Landscape.

“Congresswoman Haaland has said that she believes the federal government should prioritize the protection of public lands for the future. We are thrilled that she will have the opportunity to implement the policies necessary to do this.”

Please read this important statement on Rep. Haaland’s nomination made by the All Pueblo Council of Governors.

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About Archaeology Southwest

Archaeology Southwest is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Tucson, Arizona, that explores and protects places of the past across the American Southwest and Mexican Northwest. For three decades, Archaeology Southwest has fostered meaningful connections to the past and respectfully safeguarded its irreplaceable resources. Learn more at archaeologysouthwest.org.