Deb Haaland set to be first Native American woman governor

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 14:31 · Archive

Deb Haaland, former U.S. Interior Secretary, is set to become the first Native American woman governor of a U.S. state.

Deb Haaland, former U.S. Interior Secretary from the Pueblo of Laguna in New Mexico, is set to become the first Native American woman governor of a U.S. state. Her achievement comes even as women with leadership aspirations in her home Pueblo communities say they face substantial obstacles.

In some of the 19 pueblos in New Mexico, including Laguna, tribal law and customs do not allow women to hold top government positions. Haaland herself was once nominated to serve on her pueblo council but did not make it past a primary. She remarked that it was 'easier to raise $1 million and run for Congress' than to succeed in Pueblo politics, saying 'It's still a man's world in a lot of Pueblo communities, and certainly in mine.'

Ashley Sarracino, a former member of the Laguna Pueblo council, alleged she was forced off the council after claiming she was paid less because she was a woman. Pueblo officials deny this claim. Despite balancing traditional responsibilities with official duties, women in these communities continue to face resistance to their leadership ambitions.

How it is being reported

• Deb Haaland breaks political barriers as Native women in her home community face hurdlesDeb Haaland is set to become the first Native American woman governor of a U.S. state.Clickorlando · 14 Nov, 14:01
• Deb Haaland breaks political barriers as Native women in her home community face hurdlesDeb Haaland is set to become the first Native American woman governor of a U.S. state.News4Jax · 14 Nov, 14:01

In this story: Deb Haaland · Ashley Sarracino · Pueblo of Laguna · New Mexico

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log