On this HISTORIC day it’s important to remember the history that got us here.

Originally the Bureau of Indian Affairs—the agency tasked with managing the US gov’s relationship w/ Indigenous Nations—was housed in the War Department.

In 1849 it was transferred to the newly formed Department of the Interior. So diplomatic relations w/ Indigenous Nations went from being managed by the military to being managed alongside land, fish and animals.

It symbolized a shift in US policy from tactics of annihilation to tactics of assimilation.

During the assimilation era DOI oversaw boarding schools, urban relocation programs, allotment, the Indian Adoption Project, forcing blood quantum onto tribes and more.

Since the 1970s Native Americans have pushed for and won important federal policy gains like the Indian Child Welfare Act, Indian Self Determination Act, NAGPRA, and more that have improved programs implemented by DOI, but it is still a mixed bag.

Current DOI leadership is the first administration to take tribal land OUT of trust since President Truman. And a recent survey conducted by @NativeOrganizer and @_IllumiNatives found that 96% of Native people do not trust the federal gov.

. @DebHaalandNM has an enormous task ahead of her to help mend the very broken nation to nation relationship btwn the US and tribes.

But if we truly believe in the self-determination of Indigenous peoples, then we know that the best person to lead that work is a Native woman.