Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland told people at the South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas on Wednesday that she is to be known to them as “Auntie Deb.”
South by Southwest, also known as SXSW or “South By,” is an annual gathering of film, music festival, Ted-style talks, and technology that takes place every March.
On Wednesday, Haaland unveiled “Auntie Deb’s Guide to Equity & Inclusion.”
Haaland’s “remarks highlighted her philosophy about why representation matters, how to take it to the next level, and what can be possible when we recognize America’s full history and provide space for all voices to have a seat at the table. Putting her words into action, Secretary Haaland invited writer, transgender activist and military veteran Charlotte Clymer to share the stage for a Q&A session following her speech,” said a news release from the Department of Interior. Clymer has advocated for inclusion of transgender men-to-women in women’s athletic competition.
“Ok, so in Indigenous communities, pretty much everyone’s an Auntie. Calling someone Auntie is a sign of respect and an acknowledgement that Aunties are there to teach us. We are all part of not only our own Pueblos, Nations, Tribes, or villages, but we are also part of our broader Indigenous family,” Haaland said during her remarks.
“So, today — you are all my family. And I’m here as Auntie Deb. I’m here to share that knowledge. To go beyond what we know about equity and inclusion and representation. To empower each of you to be your own change-maker,” Haaland said.
Instead of speaking to the devastating impact of the Biden Administration on the national security of the country, through the shutdown of oil, gas, and mineral resource development, Haaland focused her speech on overcoming her humble origins, and how she survived in spite of a country that wanted to “exterminate people like me.”
Haaland said, “I serve as the 54th Secretary of the Interior. I’m a proud member of the Pueblo of Laguna in New Mexico. I was raised a military kid. I raised an amazing child as a single mom. I’m a wife, a sister, an auntie, and a public servant.
“And… I’m not supposed to be here. What I mean by that is this country was built on principles and systems that were meant to either assimilate or exterminate people like me – to either make me blend into the background of America or get rid of me altogether.
“But, against all odds, I am still here.
“The reality — that I am standing here as a figure of success in spite of my history of tragedy and loss – is shared by many people in our country. We cannot deny that laws and policies in our not-too-distant past here in the United States were built on doctrines of enslavement, land grabbing, and discrimination.
“In fact, in many states today including right here in Texas, there are still efforts to strip people of their dignity, discriminate against them because of their identities, and marginalize them. Quite frankly, it’s disgusting,” she said at the heart of her speech.
Other speakers at the conference include Twitter bully and model Chrissy Teigen, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, actor/screenwriter Ethan Hawke, TODAY show’s Al Roker and Tom Llamas, MSNBC President Rashida Jones and Bob Odenkirk, of the TV show “Better Call Saul.”
March 15 marked the first anniversary of the swearing in of Haaland, who had the support of the entire Alaska delegation in D.C.
