Nationwide– Following news that President-elect Joe Biden has appointed Congresswoman Deb Haaland as the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, Hip Hop Caucus issued the following statement:

“Rep. Deb Haaland’s selection to lead the Department of Interior is one of the most powerful and important appointments by President-elect Biden, and today we celebrate,” said Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., President and Founder of Hip Hop Caucus. “Not only is this historic, as she is the first Native person to hold a cabinet position, she is the right person at the right moment to lead this Department: she will set a precedent on how to equitably work with tribal communities and how to make a just transition to solve the climate crisis. 

“A lifelong activist, Rep. Haaland joined the movement at Standing Rock and is respected by her peers in Congress and across the nation. Today, we uplift our Native brothers and sisters. This appointment provides leadership in a Department that has long been responsible for our country’s exploitation of tribes. We will call on her for leadership on issues such as returning land back to Native people and championing climate and environmental justice. We look forward to her bringing a breadth of experience to this appointment by elevating these issues to the forefront of our national discourse and action.”

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About Hip Hop Caucus

Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that leverages Hip Hop culture to encourage young people to participate in the democratic process. Through a collaborative leadership network, HHC addresses core issues affecting underserved communities. HHC programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders.