Deb Haaland becomes one of the first Native American women in US Congress

Update: Deb Haaland and Kansas' Sharice Davids won their races on 6 November - becoming the first Native American women elected to US Congress.

When Deb Haaland was a young girl, helping her grandfather irrigate his field and picking worms off the corn as it grew, she never imagined the lessons in hard work would lead her to Washington.

Ms Haaland is poised to make history at the US midterm elections on 6 November, if she wins New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District, as the first Native American woman in Congress.

Current polls put her up to ten per cent ahead of her opponent.

The 57-year-old is the former chair of the state Democratic Party and a member of the Laguna Pueblo, a tribe of Native American Pueblo people in west-central New Mexico. 

She told SBS News Native Americans and minority groups across the country are ready for change. 

“There’s more Native American women running than any other time … so that’s a good thing and we are happy about that. All these voices that haven’t been heard could change the country.”

“I’m excited because I’m going to work hard to make sure tribal leaders have a voice at the table. I can bring a unique perspective,” she said.

“Once I get into Congress I feel like I can help other women get in too.”

The single mother, who once had to apply for food stamps to put meals on the table, says she can relate to the everyday struggles of those living in New Mexico, and other Native Americans. 

“I know what it’s like and there’s a lot of things that need to change. We are three per cent of the population and 0.3 per cent of elected officials in this country so we have a long way to go.” 

Ms Haaland entered politics in 2008 as a volunteer for former US president Barack Obama then spent years crisscrossing the state to register native voters in some of the country’s most remote corners.

In 2015 she became the head of the state Democratic Party and helped to flip the New Mexico House of Representatives back to Democratic control.

Ms Haaland will face Republican nominee Janice Arnold-Jones, a former member of the New Mexico House of Representatives.

Frustrated by US President Donald Trump and his administration, and the way Native Americans have been treated, Ms Haaland said the environment would be her number one priority. 

“I disagree largely with so many things that he’s doing. Moving on cutting our public lands, not supporting our public education, moving the fossil fuel industry forward instead of absolutely making renewable energy a priority in this country,” she said.

“I think New Mexico can become a global leader in renewable energy so we’re working at that.”

Ms Haaland has become a role model for many young women in her state and across the US. But she still hasn’t quite adjusted to the limelight.

“I feel a little self-conscious sometimes in that way but, you know, I’ve been a role model for my daughter, her friends, for my nieces and nephews so it’s not different to that.”

“I want to make sure I’m putting my best foot forward.”

Leah Messick-Gover, 30, comes from the Pawnee and Comanche tribes in Oklahoma.

The Democrat voter has been following Ms Haaland on her campaign trail across Albuquerque and says she has now been inspired to run for office once she finishes her education.

“It’s about being fed up about not being heard and it’s ridiculous how we are being silenced, as Native Americans rise we are being pushed down,” she said.  

“My uncles and my grandfathers served in the US army but now people from my cousins from the reservation can’t vote because they don’t have a valid address.” 

The New Mexico district Deb Haaland seeks to represent includes parts of the city of Albuquerque. Historically, it was a Republican district but now it tilts heavily Democratic. 

Professor Lonna Atkeson from the University of New Mexico says it is clear Republicans believe they have lost this race. 

“Janice Arnold Jones has not been a great fundraiser and this is probably representative of the fact Republicans aren’t that enthusiastic about trying to put a lot of resources into a race they probably can’t win.

“Deb Haaland has had a lot of support from a lot of different groups.”