The Honorable Secretary Ken Salazar
Department of the Interior
Members of the United States Senate

Dear Sirs:

I have read with interest the comments and criticisms about recent Bureau of Indian Education actions, particularly at the post-secondary level. I know that employees within that organization have been threatened if they make unauthorized comments to the press; so, I am sure that most of those individuals would not risk their livelihoods to speak up as a single voice.

This letter is a request to do a thorough investigation of management practices at the post-secondary level, particularly at Haskell Indian Nations University. As a recent Haskell employee, I have information that I will enumerate in this letter. The information should provide a starting point; the information is based on facts I observed or witnessed and on conversations I had with my employees while working at Haskell.

Unfortunately, Haskell employs a group of about seven individuals who actively work against the administration. This group has been vocal, and since the Bureau of Indian Education ( BIE ) maintains a policy that does not allow administrators to respond, only misinformation, rumor, and innuendos are spread to the public, to the students, and to Congress. I agree with a recent blog that said this should be embarrassing to BIE officials; it was embarrassing to me as a native person that the very group of people who should have native students in mind actually worked to create an environment of fictional drama on campus that was detrimental to the University’s attempt to live up to its potential.

Issues that need scrutiny :

1. Dismantling of the federally legislated demonstration Health Education and Wellness Program program.

2. Hiring practices at Haskell Indian Nations University and at central office, with oversight of post-secondary.

3. Mismanagement of personnel issues at central office ensuring continuation of “hostile work environment.”

4. Personnel who “cyber-bully” and promote misinformation to create dissonance.

5. Ethics violations, such as advocating for your wife’s hire.

6. Dismantling of The RED Center, the only connection to a university Haskell Indian Nations University can claim.

7. A private bequest, used as Stephanie Birdwell’s private project account; $3M+ combined for both Haskell and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. (Specifically, why didn’t the money go to the congressional chartered non-profit the BIE helped establish for the purpose of raising money.)

8. Central office’s support of the federal union, rather than its own managers. (Specifically look at the legal effects of dismantling the current negotiated bargaining unit for the entire BIE by setting precedent at Haskell). This doesn’t even speak to the impact on student’s lives.

9. Expenditures for dialogue sessions where no one is allowed to talk except Central Office Staff: do these coincide with other travel and is Haskell paying for this idea?

10. Dismantling of processes that promote fiscal accountability (saved $150K in food services to see it squandered now) and healthy lifestyles initiatives (try eating in the cafeteria now).

11. Lack of follow through on Inspector General referrals for mismanagement of money (when directed by the Inspector General’s office to handle the matter).

You have many issues in Interior; I wonder where Native American Students fit in your priorities?

I realize that I will get a form letter back from your staff and that it is highly likely that you will never read this. I am forwarding copies to some of your colleagues in the hopes that someone finally takes the comments about personnel management and supervision seriously. I believe that Ms. Birdwell and others will suggest that you investigate me rather than look at these issues. I am hopeful you will do both.

I would welcome the opportunity to provide you with incidents.

Dr. Ted A Wright
Former Vice President of Haskell Indian Nations University
Lawrence, Kansas