Secretary Deb Haaland addresses the Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention on December 14, 2021.

Haaland, a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna, leads the Department of the Interior. She is the first Native person in charge of the federal agency with the most trust and treaty responsibilities in Indian Country.

AFN’s meeting took place virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This is the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, a historic milestone upon which Alaska Natives can continue to build and improve. Today, I joined the @NativeFed Convention to share updates from @Interior.🧵

— Secretary Deb Haaland (@SecDebHaaland) December 14, 2021

Video courtesy AFN

Thumbnail photo by U.S. Department of the Interior