Haskell Indian Nations University is a federal unique political status institution and not a public university. Haskell is a political status Indian educational institution established to fulfill the federal treaty fiduciary trust education responsibilities to Indian beneficiaries. Indian tribally enrolled members of 574 Indian tribes including Alaska are eligible to attend Haskell. Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has a limited knowledge of the intricacies and peculiarities of federal trust responsibility authorities governing Haskell. Haskell is totally dependent upon the Congress and without capacity to meet the sustainability criteria of the HLC. Haskell has been historically and perpetually underfunded for decades by Congress, a financial condition the HLC does not understand or recognize. The HLC’s criteria is incongruous and oblivious to the Indian treaty fiduciary trust responsibility and obligations of the federal government to Indian student beneficiaries.
https://files.gao.gov/reports/GAO-26-106626/index.html#_ftnref3
The U.S. has 574 treaties with 574 governments of sovereign nations. Under the Constitution, treaties are the “supreme Law of the Land”. Title 25 of the U.S. Code defines the relationship recognized as sovereign political entities. The Indian treaties are the foundation of federal trust responsibility for Indian education. Indian treaties, federal law and the Constitution can be used to shape authentic Native American education. Both the HLC and the Department of the Interior must enforce and greater understand the laws and policy of the Title 25 of the U.S. Code.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-25
A 2024 congressional hearing report described Haskell as “severely dysfunctional” prompting the proposed Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act to transform Haskell governance. The purpose of the Act is to fulfill the trust and treaty responsibility to Native Americans and clarify independence from the Bureau of Indian Education.
The Higher Learning Commission on June 26, 2025, placed Haskell Indian Nations University status to “Accredited on Notice” and determined Haskell is at risk of being out of compliance with the HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation. The Department of Interior Secretary is the ultimate trustee oversight responsible, and the subordinate Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education trustees do not have the qualification of a trustee of a university.
The HLC “Accredited on Notice” is an opportunity to resolve the mismanagement and conflicts of federal fiduciary trust responsibilities existing at Haskell. The U. S. recognizes Indian rights but does not enforce them.
First Nations Journal looks forward to a new dawn rising and to work together to provide for the 7th generation.
FIRST NATIONS JOURNAL
M’gwitch. 🪶
Steve Cadue
Kickapoo Nation Kansas
Leave a Reply