Deb Haaland: First Native American Cabinet Secretary

Neither of her parents had attended college, so she didn’t have much help with the application process. But she was determined. Haaland was accepted to the University of New Mexico. Even though her classes were challenging, she enjoyed learning. Her hard work paid off, and she became the first person in her family to graduate from college. She earned a degree in English in 1994.

Four days after graduating, Haaland gave birth to her daughter, Somah. Being a single mom was challenging, but Haaland was determined to provide for her daughter. When Somah was two, Haaland started a small business selling homemade salsa. She named it Pueblo Salsa. She brought her daughter along as she drove around the state selling her product. It was important for Haaland to have flexible hours so that she could also care for Somah. Sometimes she didn’t make as much money as she needed, so she received some help from government programs.

Haaland also took an interest in politics. In 2002 she closely followed the US Senate elections. In South Dakota, Lakota voters supported Senator Tim Johnson, and he won reelection by just 528 votes. Each Lakota voter had made a difference in the close race. Haaland remembered, “When I saw what the Indian vote had done in South Dakota, I said, I bet we can do that here.”

She decided it was time to continue her education. She enrolled in law school at the University of New Mexico and graduated in 2006. In law school, she focused on Native American law–the legal relationships between the United States and Native American nations. Her passion for this area of law and history helped her choose a clear path forward in public service.