Haskell Indian Nations University is a federally operated 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 developed as a 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. Haskell is funded directly by the Bureau of Indian Education as a U.S. Trust Responsibility to American Indian Tribes; it does not charge tuition. Students are responsible for paying semester fees.
Twelve campus buildings have been designated as 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, and numerous student clubs and organizations. Faculty and students built the Haskell Medicine Wheel Earthwork in 1992, and the Haskell-Baker Wetlands are important for migrating birds. 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, the Higher Learning Commission, and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
The university hosts cultural and academic events that attract visitors (both American Indian and non-Indian) from across the country and abroad. Such events 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.
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History
The history of Haskell Indian Nations University reflects both U.S. Indian policy and self-determination efforts by American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Haskell was founded during an era when the federal government believed that Native Americans needed to assimilate into the majority culture in order to survive. To do this, the US government sent Native American children away from their families to be educated at Native American boarding schools. In the late 19th century, the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, in Pennsylvania, was seen by many as the epitome of such a school, and so when the United States Congress decreed in 1882 that three new boarding schools should be made in Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma (a plan that would cost $150,000), it was the Carlisle school that served as the model for these soon-to-be-constructed institutions, including Haskell. When Haskell opened in 1884, it went by the name United States Indian Industrial Training School. According to many source, many children were abused during the early years, and under the harsh standards of the period, some rebellious or insubordinate children were physically punished.
In the late 1800s, according to the university, the early trades for boys included tailoring, wagon making, blacksmithing, harness making, painting, shoe making, and farming, reflecting skills needed in their rural home environments. Girls studied cooking, sewing and homemaking. Most of the students' food was produced on the Haskell farm, and students were expected to work at the school. By 1887, the school had changed its name to Haskell Institute in honor or 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. A few years later, in 1889, Charles T. Meserve was appointed the fifth superintendent in Haskell's five-year history. His discharge of many employees including the principal teacher brought criticism from the president of the National Education Association, and his harsh treatment of the students caused them to send four protesting petitions to Washington. A Special Indian Agent, appointed to investigate, whitewashed the whole situation.
During the 20th century, the school shifted its purpose from assimilation to Native American education. By 1927, the school was offering high school classes, and in the same year the school started to feature post-high school courses. In 1965, Haskell graduated its last high school class, and two years later, Haskell was converted into a junior college; to match its redevelopment, its name was changed to Haskell Indian Junior College. In the late 1980s, planning began to develop the institution as a bachelor-degree granting university with a curriculum that would make it a hub for Indian education in the United States. In 1993, the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Ada Deer, approved the aforementioned plan, and the institution was renamed Haskell Indian Nations University. Haskell offered its first four-year baccalaureate degree program in elementary teacher education. Within a few years, Haskell had developed its own, specialized bachelor's degree program in American Indian Studies. Business Administration, and Environmental Sciences. At the turn of the 21st century, Haskell had become a Tribal-based university with a curriculum serving general Native American and Alaska Native goals. Today, Haskell's alumni work in numerous areas to serve Indian Country and Alaska Native communities.
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Campus
The Haskell campus has 12 buildings that have been designated 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 migrate to Mexico and South America. The Northern Crawfish Frog is an endangered species and its critical habitat is the wetlands.
Blalock Hall
Constructed in 1978, Blalock Hall was named in honor of Margaret Blalock, Chippewa, a Haskell alumna, and long-time employee at the college, who was committed to serving the students at Haskell. It is a residential hall for freshman (first year) men and male students transferring from other colleges and universities.
Hiawatha Hall
Originally constructed in 1898, Hiawatha Hall was named after the historic Onondaga leader of the Iroquois Confederacy. The building is the oldest still standing on at Haskell and was built by the United Methodist Church to serve as a campus chapel. The building is owned by the federal government, but has been closed for decades because the government--despite the building being on the National Historic Landmarks list--has not allocated money to pay for repairs.
Osceola and Keokuk Halls
Osceola and Keokuk Halls are collectively known as "O-K Hall." Constructed in 1884, Osceola and Keokuk served as dormitories for men and women, respectively. Osceola was a famous Seminole warrior, whose name means "Rising Sun." Keokuk, a Sac and Fox whose name means "Watchful Fox," was not a hereditary chief, but recognized for his skillful leadership, force of character, and brilliant oratory. O-K Hall is currently a residential hall for both women and men.
Pocahontas Hall
Pocahontas Hall was built in 1931 and was named after the daughter of Powhatan, paramount chief of the Powhatan confederacy. She married English colonist John Rolfe, and they were ancestors to many descendants of First Families of Virginia. It serves as a residential hall for freshman women and female students transferring from other colleges and universities.
Pontiac Hall
Built in 1934, Pontiac Hall was named after an Ottawa chief. It is located immediately south of the main quadrangle.
Powhatan Hall
Powhatan Hall was constructed in 1932 and named after the paramount chief of the Powhatan Confederacy, made up of 30 Algonquian-speaking tribes in coastal Virginia. Originally used for classrooms, it has been adapted as a residential hall, housing Student Residential Assistants (SRS).
Roe Cloud Hall
Completed in 1997, Roe Cloud Hall was 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 was a spokesman for American Indian issues and education throughout his life. It is a residential hall for both men and women.
Sequoyah Hall
Sequoyah Hall was built in 1961 and named for Sequoyah, the Cherokee who developed a syllabary writing system for the Cherokee language in the early 19th century; this was the first known independent development of a writing system. It lies on the eastern edge of the main quadrangle area.
Tecumseh Hall
Built in 1915 as a gymnasium, Tecumseh Hall was named after the Shawnee chief who led an effort to repulse the European-American settlers from Indian territory west of the Appalachian Mountains. It houses the Campus Shoppe, offices of the Student Senate, Student Activities, and the Indian Leader (the campus newspaper).
Winona Hall
Originally constructed in 1897, Winona Hall was rebuilt in 1962. The name Winona in Lakota tradition is for daughters who are the first-born child of the family. Winona Hall currently is a co-ed honors residential hall, serving both women and men.
Museums and libraries
Haskell is home to the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame, which recognizes noted athletes such as John Levi, Jim Thorpe, Moses Yellow Hair, and Billy Mills.
The Haskell Cultural Center and Museum provides exhibits of interest about indigenous history. Its archives include collections on Haskell and aspects of Native American history.
Tommaney Library provides a range of academic research resources in print, online and digital form.
Haskell Medicine Wheel Earthwork
The Haskell Medicine Wheel Earthwork is located south of the campus. It 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".
According to the Haskell Catalog, the medicine wheel earthwork
"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
The University is one of 37 members of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, an organization of Tribal colleges and universities.
Academic profile
After earning an associate degree, many students transfer to the University of Kansas, other colleges, or join the workforce. Haskell offers four baccalaureate degree programs and four associate degrees in a variety of subjects. The university received a #13 ranking on the 2010 "Top 50 Dropout Factory" list from Washington Monthly in their College Guide, with a graduation rate of 9%.
Associate degree programs
Haskell offers an associate of arts (AA) in: Communication Studies, Liberal Arts, Media Communication, Para Professional Education, and Social Work. The school also offers an associate of science (AS) in: Community Health, Natural Sciences, and Recreation Fitness Management.
Indigenous and American Indian Studies (BA)
This program provides 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 designed to prepare students for graduate or professional schools, 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. The management track emphasizes traditional academic study of contemporary management practices and theories common to the management of human, financial, technical, natural, and other resources. The Tribal Management track explores contemporary and historical issues that particularly affect management of tribal governments and enterprises.
Elementary Teacher Education (BS)
Education majors complete a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education; they must pass the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) and Elementary Education exam to be eligible to apply for Kansas provisional licensure to teach kindergarten through the sixth grade. Other states may have differing requirements.
Environmental Sciences (BS)
This program provides a broad-based background to prepare students for graduate school or a career in environmental or biological fields. Courses offered include Biology, Ecology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Natural Resources, and Environmental Sciences. It is intended to add substance to indigenous concerns about sustainability.
Student life
More than 20 student organizations and clubs on campus provide students with chances to become involved in campus life and activities related to the larger community.
Athletics
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) competing as an Independent in all sports. Before July 2015, CCC competed in the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC). Men's sports include basketball, cross country, football, golf, track & field, and cheerleading; 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. Due to funding shortfalls, the football program was suspended for the 2015 season.
Notable people
- Evelyne Bradley - American Navajo judge
- Chief Kenneth S. Clark Sr. - Nanticoke chief and Indian rights activist
- Henry Roe Cloud - Tribal education advocate
- Billy Mills - Olympic gold medalist in 10,000m at Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics
- Larry Johnson - football offensive lineman in the National Football League
- Buck Jones - professional football player
- Nick Lassa - professional football player
- Gilbert L. Laws - Nebraska Secretary of State and US Congressman
- Mayes McLain - professional football player
- Emmett McLemore - professional football player
- Joe Pappio - professional football player
- Stan Powell - professional football player
- Steve Reevis - Hollywood actor
- Pauline Small - first woman elected to a Crow Nation tribal office
- Jim Thorpe - Olympic gold medalist in decathlon; scored a record 8,413 points
- Louis Weller - professional football player
References
External links
- Official website
- Haskell Indian Nations Athletics website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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