Ruth Buffalo wears traditional dress while being sworn in as first Native American female Dem in ND legislature

The first Native American Democratic woman to be elected to North Dakota’s state legislature was sworn in this week, and wore traditional Native American dress to the ceremony.

Ruth Buffalo, who was elected last month to represent the state’s 27th legislative district, unseated Republican state Rep. Randy Boehning.

She is a member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, according to HuffPost.

{mosads}Buffalo told HuffPost that she wore traditional clothing and carried a fan made with eagle feathers to honor her ancestors and future generations.

“It’s part of my identity and who I am,” Buffalo said. “It was to honor my ancestors, those that have gone before me, and the future generation.”

She said that her clan brother gifted her the fan, noting that eagle feathers are often given to people “when they’ve accomplished a great achievement.”

Buffalo told HuffPost that she asked the state House minority leader for permission to wear the traditional garb, so as to not disrupt the ceremony – though she noted that it felt “weird” to ask permission.

Native American candidates had success in national races this year as well, with Democrats Deb Haaland (N.M.) and Sharice Davids (Kan.) becoming the first two Native American women elected to Congress.