Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland recently opened up about her memoir, A Voice Like Mine. Haaland’s Pueblo Indian roots trace back to before the United States was founded. Her ancestors originally lived in areas now known as New Mexico and the Southwest.

Haaland has achieved multiple significant milestones throughout her career. In 2018, she became one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress. President Joe Biden later selected her to lead the Department of the Interior, marking a historic moment as the first Native American to hold this cabinet position. Currently, Haaland has her sights set on becoming the first Native American woman governor in the United States.

Her memoir recounts her journey from working at a bakery to influencing public policy. Raised by parents dedicated to civil service—her father a Marine and her mother an employee of the Bureau of Indian Affairs—Haaland emphasizes her decision to pursue public office as entirely self-motivated.

Haaland shared with Morning Edition her desire to empower others to pursue various opportunities, including public office. She emphasized the importance of having more diverse voices represented. “We have more of a voice than we’ve ever had, but the struggle is real,” Haaland stated. “That’s why I’m saying we need more voices at the table, more voices at the decision-making table.”

Reflecting on current American society, Haaland expressed concern about a perceived regression in mutual respect among citizens. She advocates for a sense of shared responsibility to care for each other and the environment.

In her discussion with Morning Edition host A Martínez, Haaland also addressed how changing policies across administrations can impact communities. To hear more from this interview, follow the instructions above.