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Deb Haaland breaks political barriers as Native women in her home community face hurdles
Women still face legal and cultural barriers in Pueblo leadership, even as Deb Haaland’s mainstream political rise inspires a new generation.
- Ashley Sarracino, a former Laguna Pueblo council member, faced significant obstacles in tribal leadership after a dispute ended her tenure on council. Her experience reflects broader systemic barriers for women across some of the 19 pueblos in New Mexico.
- While reviewing budget documents, Sarracino discovered she was being paid $14,000 less than her male predecessor. She asked the pueblo governor for an explanation, sparking a bitter dispute that would end her tenure on council.
- Pueblo governance varies widely; some pueblos retain traditional theocracies where government roles are reserved for men. Laguna Pueblo law does not explicitly allow women to serve as governor or lieutenant governor, though Pojoaque Pueblo has women in all executive positions since 2021.
- Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, another Laguna Pueblo woman, found success in mainstream politics rather than tribal leadership. Haaland quipped it was "easier to raise $1 million and run for Congress" than succeed in Pueblo politics.
- Sarracino has not ruled out future pueblo council runs and remains focused on the next generation of Native women. "Thats the reason I couldnt just let it go, she said. Because I know theyre coming up behind me.
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The Washington Post+20 Reposted by 20 other sources
Deb Haaland breaks political barriers as Native women in her home community face hurdles
Deb Haaland is set to become the first Native American woman governor of a U.S. state
·Washington, United States
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Deb Haaland breaks political barriers as Native women in her home comm
PARAJE, N.M. (AP) — On the morning of a Laguna Pueblo village’s annual Feast Day, Ashley Sarracino knelt in her family home holding clothespins between her teeth. She straightened her niece’s black cotton manta, a traditional one-shouldered
·Baltimore, United States
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Deb Haaland breaks political barriers as Native women in her home community face hurdles – WTOP News
PARAJE, N.M. (AP) — On the morning of a Laguna Pueblo village’s annual Feast Day, Ashley Sarracino knelt in her family home holding clothespins between her teeth. She straightened her niece’s black cotton manta, a traditional one-shouldered dress, and tied a sash around her waist. On these days, Sarracino is a caretaker, dressing relatives for...
·Chevy Chase, United States
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Total News Sources23
Leaning Left9Leaning Right4Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution41% Left, 41% Center
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources lean Left, 41% of the sources are Center
41% Center
L 41%
C 41%
R 18%
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