Deb Haaland, former U.S. Secretary of the Interior and current gubernatorial candidate for New Mexico, posted a series of messages on X (formerly Twitter) between October 13 and 14, 2025, reflecting on Indigenous Peoples' Day, education, and Indigenous representation in literature.
On October 13, Haaland recognized the significance of Indigenous Peoples' Day by stating, "Indigenous Peoples' Day honors our contributions and strength worldwide. From our children to our elders, every generation deserves the chance to thrive. As a proud Pueblo woman, I’m committed to uplifting our people and leaving the ladder down for those forging their own path."
Later that day, she addressed educational issues and her personal background: "When school feels relevant and when kids have options, they become more interested in learning. I went to 13 public schools before I graduated from Highland High School in Albuquerque. As your next Governor, I’m looking forward to working with teachers, families, unions,".
On October 14, Haaland congratulated journalist Julian Brave NoiseCat on his new book release: "Congrats on the launch of your new book, @jnoisecat, and proud of you for using your platform to shed light on Indigenous communities' strength and tell our stories."
Indigenous Peoples' Day is observed across the United States as an alternative to Columbus Day to recognize the history and contributions of Native American peoples. Deb Haaland has been noted as the first Native American Cabinet secretary in U.S. history and has advocated for Indigenous rights and representation throughout her career.
