Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) was described as ‘severely dysfunctional in a House Subcommittee on Oversight Investigations Hearing 2024 congressional report. Why is this so? We must remember Haskell has been under the control of the federal government since its inception in 1884. Haskell was ‘set up to fail due to the founding antiquated law of ‘ward to the guardian. The proposed Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act introduced in December 2024, cites the need for a culturally relevant education for Indians, the historical context behind the formation and evolution of HINU, neglect of governing duties of the U S Bureau of Indian Education.
Haskell Indian beneficiaries have no control or authority over management at HINU and yet some lawmakers use Indians as pawns in exploring Haskell for dismantling federal Indian education treaty trust responsibility. In 2024, congressional hearings, the witnesses provided testimony on the conditions existing at Haskell which the lawmakers described as horrendous.
On February 11, 2025, the President signed an executive order stripping Haskell of nearly a quarter of its staff. The Haskell budget is highly uncertain and traumatic for Haskell Indian beneficiaries. The U S Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is the most critical Cabinet position for federal Indian law and policy. The Secretary oversees the U S Burau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the U S Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). The Secretary has the power to shape federal law impacting Indian tribal nations and federal Indian education trust responsibility. Alarmingly, and negligent, Secretary Burgum has remained silent on the staff cuts and budget cuts at Haskell. Secretary Burgum’s silence renders the Haskell Indian Student beneficiaries defenseless.
“Always in our Hearts” underscores the Indian Boarding School Policies Act (S.761) sponsored by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). The Act is a search for the truth of the dark chapter of the Indian boarding schools established to forcibly assimilate and separate Indian children from their history and culture. Repatriation and healing for closure is necessary and an inherent right of the surviving lineal descendants of the ward children interred in the silent fields. Secretary Burgum as former Governor of North Dakota declared his commitment to the law and policy of the Native American Graves and Protection Act (NAGPRA). We ask that Secretary Burgum adhere to the rule of law of the NAGPRA federal law.
A fiduciary guardian prioritizes the rights of their ward over their own self-interests. Indian beneficiaries are wards to their guardian. Cherokee Nation vs Georgia (1831). The BIA/BIE guardian violated its fiduciary trust responsibility to Haskell student beneficiaries attending school at Haskell as cited in the HINU Improvement Act. The Cherokee Nation vs Georgia (1831) Supreme Court decision is the cornerstone of federal Indian law and policy and must be followed by Secretary Burgum and the lawmakers.
To be clear and informed, the HINU Improvement Act and Indian Boarding School Policies Act (S.761) will not be processed without review and recommendations from Secretary Burgum. The Secretary’s recommendations in proposed federal law must uphold and strengthen Indian self-determination. The two legislations are interconnected in findings and purpose. A Call to Action to uphold constitution and Indian treaty rights is needed. Silence is not the answer to the injustice and breach of trust practiced at Haskell.
Transformation, a foundational shift of action is required at Haskell to resolve the chaos and crisis at Haskel and to address the situation of closure of Haskell Indian Nations University. A Call to Action to the lawmakers is requested.
M’gwitch, 🪶
Steve Cadue
Kickapoo Nation Kansas
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