In some happy and exciting Monday news, U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland married her longtime partner Skip Sayre Saturday night in New Mexico! According to The Paper, the ceremony incorporated elements honoring her Native American ancestry, including Native buffalo dancers and a presentation by the Pueblo Sisters. The former New Mexico congresswoman is a member of the Laguna Pueblo. She is the first Native American head of a Cabinet department.
Not many photos are available online at this time as the couple allegedly made an announcement that they would not share pictures of the ceremony until they announced the wedding themselves. According to The Paper, Sayre announced the wedding on Facebook on Monday.
“Last night Debra and I were married at Hyatt Regency Tamaya in Santa Ana Pueblo. It was truly a magical evening. Shortly after the ceremony, the clouds opened up to a rainstorm and a big, bright rainbow appeared,” Sayre wrote on Facebook following the ceremony.
U.S. Department of the Interior Press Secretary Tyler Cherry described Sayre as Haaland’s “longtime” partner. He also confirmed that guests were all required to be vaccinated and wear masks during the ceremony.
“Secretary Deb Haaland celebrated her union with longtime partner Skip Sayre at a ceremony in her home state of New Mexico on Saturday night. Consistent with CDC guidance and New Mexico’s public health orders, guests were required to be vaccinated and wear masks,” Cherry said in a statement emailed to Native News Online. “The Secretary’s dress was designed and sewn by her sister and the ceremony included traditional elements to honor her ancestry.”
While social media posts shared by attendees including Sen. Elizabeth Warren do not depict this— and resulted in online backlash as a result—Cherry confirmed that the rule was in place indoors.
We are awaiting more photos, but these photos alone reflect the happiness associated with the ceremony and what a lovely day it must have been!
Congrats Secretary Haaland—love looks great on you!
Not many photos are available online at this time as the couple allegedly made an announcement that they would not share pictures of the ceremony until they announced the wedding themselves. According to The Paper, Sayre announced the wedding on Facebook on Monday.
“Last night Debra and I were married at Hyatt Regency Tamaya in Santa Ana Pueblo. It was truly a magical evening. Shortly after the ceremony, the clouds opened up to a rainstorm and a big, bright rainbow appeared,” Sayre wrote on Facebook following the ceremony.
U.S. Department of the Interior Press Secretary Tyler Cherry described Sayre as Haaland’s “longtime” partner. He also confirmed that guests were all required to be vaccinated and wear masks during the ceremony.
“Secretary Deb Haaland celebrated her union with longtime partner Skip Sayre at a ceremony in her home state of New Mexico on Saturday night. Consistent with CDC guidance and New Mexico’s public health orders, guests were required to be vaccinated and wear masks,” Cherry said in a statement emailed to Native News Online. “The Secretary’s dress was designed and sewn by her sister and the ceremony included traditional elements to honor her ancestry.”
While social media posts shared by attendees including Sen. Elizabeth Warren do not depict this— and resulted in online backlash as a result—Cherry confirmed that the rule was in place indoors.
Bruce and I were so happy to celebrate Deb and Skip this weekend. Congrats on your marriagepic.twitter.com/2kLC0xRspO
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) August 30, 2021
We are awaiting more photos, but these photos alone reflect the happiness associated with the ceremony and what a lovely day it must have been!
Congrats Secretary Haaland—love looks great on you!