Deb Haaland becomes one of first two Native American congresswomen

Deb Haaland becomes one of first two Native American congresswomen

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The day before Deb Haaland was sworn in last week as a freshman lawmaker in the most diverse U.S. House of Representatives class in history, she said the weight of being one of the first two Native American women to serve in Congress had not yet fully hit her.

Haaland, 58, had just conducted a brief staff meeting and was sitting in her new office on Capitol Hill as staffers got phones working and solved logistical problems like wrestling a printer through a narrow doorway.

. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder
Haaland works in her office at the U.S. Capitol before being sworn in.

The first-time elected official represents New Mexico's 1st Congressional District and is a member of the state's Laguna Pueblo tribe. "Congress has never heard a voice like mine," the Democrat said.

"As the first Native American woman in Congress, I know that there will be an expectation on me by tribes across the country to be somebody that can move their issues forward," Haaland said. "That's absolutely something I feel optimistic that I will be able to do."

. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder
Haaland (left), her sister Zoe and their mother Mary, make their way through the underground passageways of the U.S. Capitol.

She said there is an "epidemic" of missing and murdered indigenous women, and Haaland would like Congress to hold additional oversight hearings on the issue and make sure tribal justice systems have the resources they need to conduct proper investigations.

Also at the top of her list is combating climate change, which threatens fragile tribal lands. "If you're not scared to death right now about climate change, you're not reading the news," she said.

Haaland is one of a record-breaking 102 women who will serve in the 435-seat House during the 2019-2020 session.

. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder
Haaland (top right) and Sharice Davids (D-KS) (top, second right) are honoured by Ho-Chunk tribal drummers.

There are many firsts among them. Haaland and Sharice Davids of Kansas, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, are the first Native American women. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan are the first Muslim women. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Jahana Hayes of Connecticut are the first black women to represent their states. All are Democrats.

. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder
Haaland and Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) leave a reception.

When Haaland was born in 1960, Native Americans did not have the right to vote in New Mexico - despite being granted full U.S. citizenship by the federal government in 1924. They got it in 1962, making the Southwestern state the last in the nation to extend it.

On Thursday, Haaland welcomed her new constituents to an open house at her congressional office before being sworn in on the House floor. She wore traditional tribal garments to the ceremony, including a pomegranate blossom necklace of silver and turquoise, signifying protection and strength, made by a Laguna artist.

. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder
Haaland becomes emotional and hugs U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS) after they were sworn in.

After raising her hand to take the oath of office with her peers, the consequence of the milestone sunk in.

Overcome with emotion, Haaland turned to embrace Davids, borrowing the edge of her new colleague's scarf to dab away her tears.

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Slideshow

Haaland speaks at a reception hosted by the Congressional Native American Caucus after being sworn in.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder

Haaland speaks at a reception hosted by the Congressional Native American Caucus after being sworn in.

Haaland, wearing traditional Native American attire, rides in an Uber to the U.S. Capitol to be sworn in.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder

Haaland, wearing traditional Native American attire, rides in an Uber to the U.S. Capitol to be sworn in.

Haaland, wearing traditional Native American attire, arrives at her office.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder

Haaland, wearing traditional Native American attire, arrives at her office.

Haaland talks to her mother Mary, in her office at the U.S. Capitol before being sworn in.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder

Haaland talks to her mother Mary, in her office at the U.S. Capitol before being sworn in.

Haaland prays with her family in her office at the U.S. Capitol before being sworn in.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder

Haaland prays with her family in her office at the U.S. Capitol before being sworn in.

Haaland (top right), wearing traditional Native American attire, takes the oath of office.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder

Haaland (top right), wearing traditional Native American attire, takes the oath of office.

Haaland changes clothes in her office after being sworn in.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder

Haaland changes clothes in her office after being sworn in.

Haaland bows her head for a prayer at a reception.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder

Haaland bows her head for a prayer at a reception.

Haaland and her family pose for a ceremonial photograph with Speaker Nancy Pelosi after being sworn in.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder

Haaland and her family pose for a ceremonial photograph with Speaker Nancy Pelosi after being sworn in.

Haaland (second right) is joined by U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (second left) after they were sworn to the U.S. House of Representatives.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder

Haaland (second right) is joined by U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (second left) after they were sworn to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Haaland (centre) is joined by actor Mark Ruffalo (right) at a reception hosted by the Congressional Native American Caucus.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder

Haaland (centre) is joined by actor Mark Ruffalo (right) at a reception hosted by the Congressional Native American Caucus.

Haaland laughs after becoming one of the first two Native American women in the U.S. House of Representatives.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder

Haaland laughs after becoming one of the first two Native American women in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Haaland holds open an elevator door after being sworn in.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder

Haaland holds open an elevator door after being sworn in.

Haaland rests at the end of a reception hosted by the Congressional Native American Caucus.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder

Haaland rests at the end of a reception hosted by the Congressional Native American Caucus.

Haaland (left) and Sharice Davids (D-KS) wait in a car to go to back to Capitol Hill to vote.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Brian Snyder

Haaland (left) and Sharice Davids (D-KS) wait in a car to go to back to Capitol Hill to vote.