Biden's Native American Support Clashes with Oil Drilling Cuts

President Biden and his administration have been touting their efforts to protect Native American interests, including designating a million acres of public lands as the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni — Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. However, earlier this year, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland finalized a ban on fossil fuel leasing near the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, which has caused economic devastation for tribes who rely on leasing the land for income. Navajo leaders argue that the federal government failed to properly consult them on the action and are considering pursuing litigation. Other tribes dependent on oil, gas, and coal production have also criticized the Biden administration's policies targeting fossil fuel production on Native American lands.