The First Nations Journal published in the weekly blog of September 21, 2025, that Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) was in a crisis mode of infrastructure deterioration due to deferred maintenance. Multiple federal agencies and the Congress have identified long-standing issues with HINU’s facilities including ADA compliance, safety and health. The deferred maintenance conditions including frequent HVAC breakdowns existing at Haskell are systemic and a larger part of the breach of trust negligence from the U S Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)and the U S Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). Haskell’s solution to deferred maintenance is to board up the campus facilities and move on, i.e., the Haskell football stadium and the deteriorating Haskell Arch. Regrettably, these two iconic Haskell facilities are unsafe and in keeping with maintenance codes should be reviewed for demolition. A new dawn is on the horizon.
The Lawrence Journal World, January 3, 2026, reported on state university management and included the issue of deferred maintenance at the University of Kansas and other state universities. Deferred maintenance has compound consequences and First Nations Journal, January 2, 2026, suggested $50 million was needed in the proposed Haskell Indian Nations University Act federal treaty obligations for quality Indian education at Haskell. The uniqueness of Haskell involves the deferred maintenance of the Haskell cemetery and the Haskell wetlands which are culturally critical to the educational environment at Haskell.
In December 2024, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has placed Haskell’s accreditation status to ‘accredited on notice. The HLC does not specifically audit deferred maintenance, instead, deferred maintenance is considered indirectly as a potential indicator of an institution’s overall financial health, resource planning, and ability to fulfill its mission and provide a quality educational environment. A congressional committee hearing report in July 2024 described Haskell as ‘severely dysfunctional which the HLC will take under consideration in its audit.
The ’board it up program of Haskell facilities creates campus and community blight along with health and safety issues. The Haskell board it up program is demoralizing. The Haskell campus is the eastern gateway to the city of Lawrence, and the boarded-up Haskell stadium is a detractor to visitors and community members. In preparation for the exciting 2026 World Cup events the city should consider a painting project for the Haskell stadium. Haskell has no budget for beautification. The honored nation visitors will see the blight and abandonment of the Haskell stadium and their image will not be positive.
In 2003, the U S Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) published a report called “A Quiet Crisis: Federal Funding and Unmet Needs in Indian Country” focusing on severe underfunding and disparities in services for Native Americans in health, education, housing and public safety, highlighting inadequate federal support compared to other groups. This report led to follow-ups like the 2016 Update and later the “Broken Promises” report. The reports detailed the failure of federal agencies to fulfill the trust responsibilities to Native American people and communities. The breach of trust conditions at Haskell have worsened since the USCCR reports of 2003.
The Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act and the Indian Boarding School Policies Act (S.761) promises a new dawn for Native American people and establish Haskell as the ‘crown jewel of Indian education as envisioned by Representative Tracey Mann (R-KAN). Indian treaties will be honored and upheld in the passage of the two legislations.
America’s 250th anniversary of the greatest democracy on earth built on Indian lands is a new dawn to celebrate. First Nations Journal wishes America a Happy Birthday.
First Nations Journal
Mgwitch, 🪶
Steve Cadue
Kickapoo Nation Kansas
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