Ascension force
The time being stingy in reasons of satisfaction, let us rejoice in this one. On March 15, in Washington, Deb Haaland received the green light from the Senate to join Joe Biden’s government. In the process, she was officially appointed Minister of the Interior and was sworn on the Bible, in front of Vice President Kamala Harris. At 60, Deb Haaland, a single mother, a former alcoholic who used government bonds for a while to survive, became the very first Native American in history to hold a ministerial post in Washington. Just that.
Local color
Deb Haaland also became, on that day, the very first person in history to be sworn in in a ribbon skirt. Which is no less a symbol. Since the XVIIIe century, these dresses, originally made from ribbons imported by boat from France to the Great Lakes, are the pride of Native women.
Flamboyant, multicolored, they embody a society traditionally built on the foundations of matriarchy. Here, the corn cob embroidered on the front of the dress is reminiscent of the Laguna Pueblo tribe in New Mexico, where Deb Haaland is from.
Velvet legs
Since it was a big day, Deb Haaland had really given everything. In addition to the dress, we will note the turquoise bracelet and the silver concho belt, both made by the artisans of his tribe, but above all these spectacular Native American moccasins in white color. Made from a single piece of leather, and with a flexible sole, these traditionally have the characteristic of being silent and facilitating movement, especially during hunting … To enter the government with a bang, it was perfect.
Hesitant walk
Let’s take advantage of this shoe interlude to break the atmosphere somewhat by going to see the shoes of the man on the left of the photo. This friend of Deb Haaland had put on one of those famous hybrid models that day combining shoe aesthetics with sneaker aesthetics. His whiskey-colored derbies featured both a dark patina and a white Vibram sole. Was there a symbol there too? If so, we would clearly prefer not to know about it.
Moving bible
The presence of Kamala Harris near a Bible reminds us that now everything is questionable. Thus, in January, some supporters of Donald Trump found a way to question the oath of the American vice-president. Zooming in on photos, they convinced themselves that she hadn’t laid her hand on the Bible, but on a small black purse. The controversy was such that Reuters had to publish new images dispelling any ambiguity. Morality? Let us fully savor this moment of grace, before someone comes to spoil it for us.