Deb Haaland

As President Joe Biden wraps up his final weeks in office before a new Republican administration, New Mexico U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich is calling on the Biden administration to designate the Caja del Rio plateau a national monument.

Among Native American communities, people go missing and experience violence at disproportionately high rates. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) - the first Native cabinet secretary - has been working to implement the Not Invisible Act, which she helped pass as a Congresswoman in 2019. A commission traveled round the country hearing testimony from survivors, advocates, law enforcement and tribal leaders. It released a list of recommendations last November, and now the Departments of Justice and Interior have responded.

The new rule by the Bureau of Land Management will protect land considered sacred by Pueblos — and used by wildlife — from development by gravel miners.

Last year, President Joe Biden proclaimed May 5th as Missing or Murdered Indigenous Person’s Awareness Day as a way to bring attention to the ongoing crisis and help families find their lost loved ones. Recent hearings by a federal commission have begun around the country, with one scheduled for New Mexico in June.

We’re wrapping up our tribute to our First Nation peoples in honor of Native American Heritage month with an individual who has made history as our first Native American Cabinet Secretary.

Early voting begins October 11 and voters will choose who will represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives. In District 1 Republican challenger Michelle Garcia Holmes and independent write-in candidate Victoria Gonzales are running against Democratic incumbent Melanie Stansbury.

Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, also known as SIPI, celebrated its 50th anniversary Tuesday with a visit by U.S. Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland. She reflected on the achievements of the community college and how her agency is working to designate it as a new voter registration agency.

Native Americans have long called the Southwest home. Yet, the true scope of their rich history and culture has often been overlooked. Now the updated permanent exhibit at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe is showcasing both historic and contemporary Native artwork.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland faced lawmakers on Capitol Hill Tuesday as she advocated for an $18 billion budget increase for her department next year. The money would go towards advancing renewable energy projects, expanding wildland fire programs and boosting public safety on reservations.

Tuesday night Albuquerque Democrat Melanie Stansbury celebrated her victory with a crowd chanting her name after winning the congressional seat left open…