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I am Alejandro Mayorkas, the new new Secretary of the Department

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Homeland Security.  I am honored to address you today,

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and to do so as your partner.

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Please first allow me to acknowledge the lands of the Nacotchtank,

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Anacostan, and the Piscataway, where our

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Department’s headquarters are located.  I also acknowledge the

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ancestral lands across the United States on which our Department operates.

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I grew up a student of Native peoples,

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tribal life and customs.  In doing so, I gained a deeper understanding

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of the value of living in harmony with the earth,

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and a deeper appreciation of the interdependence of all life

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I also learned of a history marked by great loss,

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and of resilient communities nevertheless able to inspire.

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When I served as Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security

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during the Obama-Biden Administration, I traveled to Montana

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with Senator Jon Tester.  Standing together,

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a tribal leader blessed our group with a profoundly beautiful prayer. 

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The prayer and its delivery move me to this very day. 

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I keep that moment in mind as I now assume the responsibilities

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our Department carries forward on your behalf.

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Following the prayer’s delivery along the northern border,

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I learned of the challenges that Native peoples can confront in their interactions

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with our Department.  Issues of cultural sensitivity

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and issues of broader coordination and collaboration.

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The Department of Homeland Security is, fundamentally,

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a department of partnerships.  Whether it is in delivering support

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to tribal governments in our shared battle against the COVID-19

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or in the many other ways that make us the

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that engages most frequently with the public on a daily basis,

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we must engage with you in a meaningful way. 

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It is only through such engagement that we will understand what is needed

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to ensure the safety and security of Indian country

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and the Nation. 

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The safety and security of Indian country is our shared responsibility.

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I am privileged to assume it together with you. 

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I am honored to work with you, the tribal leaders,

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to help move further from a history of loss and toward

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a future in which you can continue to inspire.

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Thank you.