Haskell Indian Nations University

Haskell Indian Nations University
Established	1884
Type	Tribal College Land-grant
President	Chris Redman
Haskell Board of Regents	George Tiger, President
Students	1,000
Location	Lawrence, Kansas, United States
Colors	Purple and Gold
Sports	Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Softball, Volleyball, and Cheerleading
Affiliations	AIHEC American Council on Education Council for Higher Education Accreditation NCA NAIA MCAC
Website	Haskell.edu

Haskell Indian Nations University is a tribal university located in Lawrence, Kansas, for members of federally recognized Native American tribes in the United States. Founded in 1884 as a residential boarding-school for American Indian children, the school has evolved into an North Central Association-accredited university that offers both associate and baccalaureate degrees.

Enrollment at the campus is nearly 1,000 students per semester, representing approximately 140 Tribal Nations and Alaska Native communities. Along with Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Haskell is funded by the Bureau of Indian Education. As such, because of U.S. Trust Responsibility to American Indian Tribes, Haskell does not charge tuition. However, students are responsible for paying semester fees.

Twelve campus buildings are U.S. National Historic Landmarks. Haskell is home to the Haskell Cultural Center and Museum, the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame, the Indian Leader, the oldest American Indian student newspaper in the country, numerous student clubs and organizations, the Haskell Medicine Wheel Earthwork, and the Haskell-Baker Wetlands. The renowned Rinehart Collection is housed in the Haskell Cultural Center. Numerous sculptures and murals are located throughout the campus. Haskell also is a member of the American Council on Education, The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

The University enjoys a positive reputation for hosting cultural and academic events that attracts visitors (both American Indian and non-Indian) from across the country and abroad. These activities include the annual Haskell Indian Art Market, the Stories-n-Motion Film Festival, and the Haskell Commencement Pow-Wow. These public events are held along with numerous educational conferences, workshops, and presentations.

History

The history of Haskell Indian Nations University is a unique story, reflecting both U.S. Indian policy and self-determination efforts by Indian Country and Alaska Native communities. Haskell was founded during an era when Native American boarding schools were created as a way to undermine Tribes and Tribal Nations. From this original mission, Haskell has transformed into a Tribal-based university whose alumni work in numerous areas to serve Indian Country and Alaska Native communities.

• 1884: Formed as the United States Indian Industrial Training School, the school opened for 22 students, a number that increased to 400 within one semester. According to the university's website, the early trades for boys included tailoring, wagon making, blacksmithing, harness making, painting, shoe making, and farming. Girls studied cooking, sewing and homemaking. Most of the students' food was produced on the Haskell farm, and students were expected to participate in various industrial duties.

• 1887: Name changed to Haskell Institute to honor Dudley Haskell, the U.S. Representative responsible for the school being in Lawrence. Under a semi-military system, students wore uniforms, marched to classes and exercised regularly. Facilities included a brig, or jail for unruly students.^{[citation needed]}

• 1894: 606 students from 36 states.^{[citation needed]}

Students at Haskell Institute, 1908.

• 1927: High school classes were accredited by the state of Kansas, and Haskell also began offering post high school courses in a variety of areas.

• 1965: Haskell graduated its last high school class.

• 1970: Haskell began offering a junior college curriculum and changes its name to Haskell Indian Junior College.

• 1988: Planning begins for the transformation from a junior college into a baccalaureate-degree granting university and national center for Indian education, research, and cultural preservation.

• 1993: The Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Ada Deer, approves the vision developed by and for Haskell, and the junior college's name is changed to Haskell Indian Nations University. Haskell offers its first four-year baccalaureate degree program in elementary teacher education.

• 1998: Haskell begins to offer baccalaureate degrees in American Indian studies, Business Administration, and Environmental Sciences.

Campus

Haskell Institute
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Haskell's Tecumseh Hall
Location:	Lawrence, Kansas
Coordinates:	38°56′23″N 95°13′58″W
Architect:	Unknown
Architectural style:	No Style Listed
NRHP Reference#:	66000342
Significant dates
Added to NRHP:	October 15, 1966
Designated NHLD:	July 4, 1961

The Haskell campus is home to 12 buildings which are listed as U.S. National Historic Landmarks. In addition to its historic architecture, Haskell is recognized for its collection of public sculptures, murals, photographs, and paintings. Examples include the well-known sculpture, "Comrade in Mourning," by Allan Houser.

The Haskell-Baker Wetlands span approximately 640 acres (260 ha) on the south side of the Haskell campus. These wetlands are home to 243 species of birds, 21 species of fish, 22 species of reptiles, and 26 species of plants. This area serves as a feeding and breeding ground for the migratory birds that breed in Canada and set up camp in the wetlands while on their way to Mexico and South America. The Northern Crawfish Frog is an endangered species and its critical habitat is the wetlands.

Blalock Hall

This is a newer building on campus. It was constructed in 1978 and named in honor of Mrs. Margaret Blalock, Chippewa, a Haskell alumna, and a long-time Haskell employee who was committed to serving the Haskell students. It now is a residential hall.

Osceola and Keokuk Halls

These adjoined buildings also are known as "O-K Hall." These two buildings were originally constructed in 1884. At that time, Osceola Hall served as a men’s hall and Keokuk Hall served as a women’s hall. Osceola was a famous Seminole warrior whose name means “Rising Sun.” Keokuk, a Sac and Fox whose name means “Watchful Fox,” was not a chief by birth, but rose to the position through skillful leadership, force of character, and brilliant oratory. O-K Hall is currently a residential hall.

Pocahontas Hall

Pocahontas Hall was built in 1931, and was named after the daughter of Powhatan, an Algonquian chief. It currently is a residential hall for first year freshman girls.

Powhatan Hall

Built in 1932 and named after the Algonquian Chief, Powhatan. It originally functioned as classroom space. It now is a residential hall.

Roe Cloud Hall

A new building on campus, it was completed in 1997. Roe Cloud Hall is named after Dr. Henry Roe Cloud, a member of the Winnebago Nation. He was the first American Indian superintendent of the Haskell Institute, serving from 1933 to 1935. Dr. Roe Cloud later served in the presidential administrations of Herbert Hoover and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He remained a strong voice on behalf of American Indian issues and education throughout his life and his career.

Winona Hall

Originally constructed in 1897, it was rebuilt in 1962. The name Winona, by Lakota tradition, is given to daughters who are the first-born child of the family. Winona Hall currently is a co-ed honors residential hall.

Museums and Libraries

Haskell is home to the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame, which recognizes famous Haskell athletes including John Levi, Jim Thorpe, Moses Yellow Hair, and Billy Mills.

The Haskell Cultural Center and Museum is a museum that provides exhibits of interest about Indigenous history. It also houses archives that includes collections on Haskell and of other subjects.

Tommaney Library is a fully functioning academic resource center.

Haskell Medicine Wheel Earthwork

The Haskell Medicine Wheel Earthwork is located south of the campus and was designed by Haskell professors, students, crop artist Stan Herd, and tribal elders, and dedicated in 1992 as a response to the 500th commemoration of the "Columbian Legacy". The creation of the medicine wheel is offered as a gift to all people.

The medicine wheel is rich with symbolism. According to the Haskell Catalog, it "symbolizes the scope and richness of indigenous cultures, from the beginning of humankind to the present. The circle is symbolic of the perpetual and sacredness of the spirituality of native peoples. The spokes are the four directions. The circle marks the astrological locations of the Summer and Winter solstice and represent the death, rebirth, balance and healing in Mother Earth. The bear claw represents the strength needed for the survival of indigenous people. The thunderbird located to the east represents the spiritual traditions of tribal people and points to the sacred circle and sacred fire contained within the Medicine Wheel Teachings."

A replica of the medicine wheel is carved in the tile at the Haskell Cultural Center and Museum as a way of balancing the campus (with a medicine wheel on the north and south ends of campus).

Organization and administration

The university president is Chris Redman. The University is one of 37 members of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, an organization for Tribal colleges and universities.

Academic profile

After earning an associate degrees, many students transfer to the University of Kansas, other colleges, or join the workforce. Because of this fact, the university was erroneously reported in one report as having a low retention rate. The university received a #9 ranking on the 2010 "Top 50 Dropout Factory" list from Washington Monthly in their College Guide. Haskell offers four baccalaureate degree programs and four associate degrees in a variety of subjects.

Indigenous and American Indian Studies (BA)

Students in this program study an integrated foundation of interdisciplinary knowledge and the practical skills needed to contribute to the development of Indigenous American Indian and Alaska Native communities and nations. The program is interdisciplinary in nature, thereby providing students the flexibility needed to prepare either for graduate or professional school or to enter the workplace after graduation.

Business Administration (BS)

The School of Business offers the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with emphases in management or tribal management. For students who enter the management track, the emphasis is on a traditional academic study of contemporary management practices and theories common to the management of human, financial, technical, natural, and other resources. Students interested in the Tribal Management track explore contemporary and historical issues that impact tribal governments.

Elementary Teacher Education (BS)

Education majors who complete a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and successfully pass the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) and Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment examination will be eligible to apply for Kansas provisional licensure to teach kindergarten through the sixth grade. Candidates wishing to teach in other states should check with respective state certification units.

Environmental Sciences (BS)

The Environmental Sciences program provides its majors with a broad-based background that prepares students for graduate school or a career in environmental or biological fields. Courses offered through this major include Biology, Ecology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Natural Resources, and Environmental Sciences.

Student life

There are more than 20 student organizations and clubs on campus, providing students with the chance to become involved in campus life as well as participating in activities in the surrounding community.

Sport

Main article: Haskell Indian Nations Fighting Indians

Haskell (HINU) teams are known as the Fighting Indians and their team colors are purple, gold and white. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC); while competing as an Independent for football. Men's sports include basketball, cross country, football, golf, track & field, and Cheerleading; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, softball, track & field, Volleyball, and Cheerleading. The university has club sports in baseball and boxing.

Haskell had one of the best college football teams in the nation from 1900 to 1930.

Notable people

For a more comprehensive list, see Category:Haskell Indian Nations University alumni.

Beginning with the first graduates, a number of individuals have left Haskell to go on to distinguished careers, serving in tribal, local, and national capacities. In addition, well-known individuals have served at Haskell.

Notable Haskell people include tribal education advocate Henry Roe Cloud, athlete John Levi, the current Chairman of National Indian Gaming Association, Ernie Stevens, Jr., screenwriter and director Stephen Paul Judd, and Pauline Small, the first woman elected to a Crow Nation tribal office.

External links

• Haskell Indian Nations University
• Haskell Indian Nations University Athletics
• Haskell Cultural Center and Museum
• American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame
• Tommaney Library
• American Indian Higher Education Consortium