To the editor:

In June, the Higher Learning Commission issued a notice changing Haskell Indian Nations University’s status from “accredited” to “accredited on notice.” This alarming situation creates greater trauma and endangers Native American student beneficiaries attending Haskell. This environmental situation is known to Congress. Indian treaty education obligations are grounded in the U.S. Constitution and federal law and policy.

A 2024 public report described Haskell as “severely dysfunctional,” which created questions about how Haskell can be a safe learning environment. This report and the Higher Learning Commission’s report reflects the serious mismanagement breach of federal trust practiced by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education.

Haskell students and faculty are being whipsawed by antiquated Indian education law and policy, the BIE’s negligent trusteeship and President Trump’s plan to cut funding to tribal colleges and universities by 90%. These 90% cuts to post-secondary education for Indian beneficiaries represent a death knell and violate Indian treaties.

The Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act proposed by Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Kan., would remove the BIE from control and governance of Haskell. The HINU Improvement Act also would ensure that the U.S. government fulfills its trust and treaty responsibility to Native Americans. The Higher Learning Commission’s report is not specific in accreditation criteria, and it is unknown what agency will accredit Haskell in the proposed HINU Improvement Act. As a result, Haskell will open the 2025-26 school year in a severely dysfunctional status.

Steve Cadue,

Kickapoo Nation Kansas