Remarks at the 2024 Democratic National Convention – Aug. 22, 2024

[speaking first in Keres] In my Keres language—greetings, friends and family. My name is Crushed Turquoise, and I'm from the Turquoise Clan. [cheers]

Thirty-five generations ago, my ancestors built lives in the high desert of New Mexico. I am on this stage tonight because of them. While fishing with my dad and running through the desert with my cousins, I learned that we have a responsibility to take care of our planet. [applause]

Donald Trump never learned that lesson. He called the climate crisis a hoax. [boos] He made it easier for big companies to poison our air and water.

An American president must lead the world in tackling climate change. We need a president who understands that assignment. That's Kamala Harris. [cheers]

I know her record. She held polluters accountable for spilling oil into the San Francisco Bay. She defended President Obama's clean power plan in court. And as vice president, she cast the tie-breaking vote for the most ambitious climate action plan in our nation’s history. [cheers and applause]

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz will fight for a future where we all have clean air, clean water, and healthy communities.

Let me go back to the lesson I learned in the desert Southwest. We all have a role in protecting our earth for future generations.

So let's all be fierce and let's make Kamala Harris the next president of the United States. [cheers] Thank you all so much! Thank you!

PBS Newshour. “Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks at 2024 Democratic National Convention.” YouTube video, 2:58. Aug. 22, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5_fc26sYkE