Haskell Indian Nations University (HINBU) stands at a moment when its academic mission must fully integrate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) principles with Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). In agriculture, food, and natural resources (AFNR), STEM disciplines increasingly recognize that the most durable solutions emerge from interdisciplinary learning rooted in place. The Haskell Wetlands—federally owned trust and reserved for Native students—are precisely such a place. They are a living laboratory where biodiversity, climate function, and cultural meaning converge. Yet their value has never been adequately embedded in Haskell academic structure or in in the federal trustee’s governance.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge | Indian Affairs
Haskell Indian Nations University, a federal institution faces the greatest crisis in its 142-year History in the Higher Learning Commission’s sanction letter of July 18, 2025. Haskell faces loss of HLC accreditation if out of compliance issues are not ameliorated. Loss of HLC accreditation is catastrophic, and Haskell will collapse if accreditation is withdrawn. The impending closure of Haskell is a federal failure of the highest magnitude in violation of federal trust responsibility to Indian beneficiaries. Only Congress can save Haskell from closure and must intervene in urgency and commitment to uphold treaties and trust responsibility.
HLC-Action-Letter-Haskell-Indian-Nations-University-7.8.25.pdf
The Haskell trustees have demonstrated their ineffectiveness in management of Haskell Therefore, Congress must authorize the use of external experts to ensure Recovery Plans address operational, or academic distress. HLC strongly encourages the use of experts in developing Recovery Plans.
Due diligence in Congress oversight with plenary powers in Indian Affairs is required in the withdrawal of accreditation crisis faced by Haskell Indian Nations University. Congress is the guard of the Haskell guardian/ward relationship at Haskell. Congress must not “turn a blind eye” to federal Indian trust responsibility as voiced by Representative Tracey Mann (R-KAN).
Haskell, a federal institution will collapse if Congress fails to intervene to uphold federal trust responsibility to Haskell Indian beneficiaries.
Indian education and Indian Health are foundational components of the federal trust responsibility and obligation. Rooted in treaties, federal statutes, and Supreme Court precedent, this legal and moral duty requires the U.S. government to provide basic social, medical, and educational services to tribal members. Indian education and Indian Health services are covered in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, 1975. The Higher Learning Commission sanction placed against Haskell jeopardizes the proposed Haskell IPHS clinic “at risk” due to HLC impending withdrawal of accreditation.
The Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act cites the need for a culturally relevant education for Indians, the historical context behind the formation and evolution of Haskell Indian Nations University. The Department of the Interior’s limited knowledge of the historical context behind the formation and evolution of Haskell is at the root of the HLC sanction.,
Haskell’s academic mission is in critical crisis due to lack of structure causing the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) “Accredited on Notice” sanction placed on Haskell. Genuine Indigenous knowledge integrated with STEM academia can strengthen the sustainability standards required by HLC. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) discipline is culturally relevant Indian education as cited in the findings of the Haskell Indian Nations’ University Improvement Act (S.2140/H.R.4085).
Several national and tribal organizations actively support Native American Knowledge systems and integrating them with STEM to address environmental challenges:
- U. S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
- American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
- NASA—STEM Engagement with Tribal Nations
Key Braiding and Bridging Across these organizations:
- Integration of traditional knowledge (TEK) with STEM methodologies
- Grants and scholarships for Native students and educators
- Collaborative research with tribal communities to address environmental challenges
- Policy and advocacy to ensure Native voices in STEM and environmental decision-making
Federal agencies routinely state that Indigenous knowledge is important. But acknowledgement without authority is symbolic. At Haskell, symbolic recognition has become a pattern—ceremonial language without structural power, consultation without jurisdiction, respect without responsibility. The result is predictable as cited in the HLC loss of accreditation crisis at Haskell.
The First Nations Journal position is clear: Indian knowledge is valid, scientific, and federally binding. Trust responsibility is not a metaphor. It is a legal and moral obligation requiring the United States to align Haskell’s academic mission and Haskell Wetlands governance with Indigenous rights, Indigenous jurisdiction, and Indigenous expertise. When Indigenous authority is denied, trust responsibility is violated.
The path forward at Haskell is equally clear. This means embedding Indigenous knowledge into STEM—AFNR curriculum, research priorities, and land-management and deferred maintenance protocols. It means treating the Haskell Wetlands as a federally protected academic resource, not an afterthought. It means shifting from symbolic inclusion to meaningful authority.
The Haskell Wetlands are not just land. They are a federal trust asset, a scientific resource, and a cultural inheritance. Their future depends on whether the United States is willing to honor Indigenous knowledge not in principle, but in practice
To save Haskell from loss of HLC accreditation withdrawal, it will take an Act of Congress, meaning the passage of the Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act (S.2140/H.R. 4085). The only meaningful amelioration offered to the HLC “Accredited on Notice” sanction is the HINU Improvement Act. Section 24. Authorization of Appropriations declares the University should receive sufficient funding increases to provide quality educational experience.
The U S Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) must address the HLC sanction crisis of withdrawal of accreditation at Haskell. The SCIA exists to examine problems in Indian Affairs and recommend solutions to Congress. Chronic underfunding does not meet the HLC sustainability cornerstone standards.
The Department of the Interior (DOI) has offered no Recovery Plan for HLC consideration and Secretary Burgum remains silent to his mismanagement practice of trust responsibility at Haskell. Structural reform is required at Haskell, and the DOI merely offers administrative change. The DOI’s performative policy will not ameliorate the HLC sanction findings.
First Nations Journal will continue to document the Haskell loss of HLC accreditation crisis and press Congress in a Call to Action to fulfill Indian treaty and trust responsibility and obligations to Indian beneficiaries at Haskell.
FIRST NATIONS JOURNAL
M’gwitch, 🪶
Steve Cadue
Kickapoo
Leave a Reply