The other good news today is did our social worker (Stephanie Birdwell-Bighorn) finally found a hole to crawl into?

Haskell Indian Nations University, in Lawrence, Kansas, prepares for convocation next week and welcomes internationally and nationally recognized Lakota elder Lionnel Bordeaux as the keynote speaker. Dr. Bordeaux’s vision for tribal higher education is one of a premier national university.

It will be interesting to watch the faces of the current administration/union/regent posse determined to live in the 1950s? Like his stage mate, George Tiger? Locally and regionally recognized George Tiger, known for his many questionable enterprises through the Creek Nation, including one tribal indictment for criminal charges(www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/ummmm/2009/aug/28/enough-already-with-the-haskell-bor-george-tiger)and (www.thevoicesofcourage.com) won’t understand anything Dr. Bordeaux says, will he? Will union representatives dismiss it outright? Will current administrators, Venida Chenault (VCEM in particular) hug George Tiger and subsequently misrepresent anything Dr. Bordeaux says?

Dr. Bordeaux is an active member of American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), The National Indian Education Association (NIEA), and National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)—all of which have resolutions to remove Haskell Indian Nations University, from The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) and turn it over to tribes (which is likely the only way it could resurrect itself from the Echohawk-Skenandore-Moore-Birdwell fiasco these past months).

Hopefully American Indian studies ( A.I.S) will require their students to attend because Dr. Bordeaux actually knows what self-determination means having lived it instead of waiting until he was an adult to decide he was Indian (pretty much the common dominator for Haskell’s Indian studies PROFESSORS)? At least if US Senators would ever listen to tribes, there would be the chance to create the premier Indian University by removing all of the current mistakes and turning the control of Haskell and all of its affairs to a group who actually knows about higher education and cares about students.

The other good news today is did our social worker (Stephanie Birdwell-Bighorn) finally found a hole to crawl into?

Maybe, Keith Moore has figured out Skenandore left him a mess? We’re pretty sure he figured out that it takes more than promises or good intentions to get BIE to move? We are actually hopeful that this negotiated move means Moore doesn’t want Haskell to lose its accreditation? The real higher education legacy of Echohawk-Skenandore-Birdwell-Bighorn.

For our regular readers, any time we make a mistake we will apologize and provide the correct information. So far, as LJW knows full well, we can provide backup for all our facts. Our opinions are our own.

haskellnews commentary 1/21/2011

Is enrollment down at Haskell Indian Nations University?

Is enrollment down this semester at Haskell Indian Nations University?

Instead of its normal 900 student enrollment, could it be hovering around 590 students this semester? Maybe, some of the tribes, students and parents heard that they were only graduating nine percent of their students and sent them elsewhere?

Maybe they heard about the guess who is president at Haskell this week? So the students went elsewhere?

Maybe they heard about George Tiger and all of the problems he is having with his own tribe (www.thevoicesofcourage) and decided he should definitely not be President of The Haskell Board of Regents? So, the students went elsewhere?

Maybe they heard about Princess Crazyhair (A.K.A Julia Goodfox) helping to organize and encourage Haskell students to take trips Palestine? So, the students went elsewhere?

Maybe, they heard about the kid being put into a coma, and the recent rapes, and arrests on campus? (Has Haskell ever passed the National Incident Management System ( NIMS) requirements)? So, the students went elsewhere?

Maybe, the good students are tired of the bad students always being readmitted, by JA? So, the students went elsewhere?

Maybe, the students are afraid the some powers to be will make Venita Chenault the next president of Haskell? So, the students went elsewhere?

Maybe, they are just good and tired of everything that is going on at Haskell, including no leadership. So, the students just went elsewhere?

haskellnews commentary Jan 18 ,2011

Haskell moves

Image via Wikipedia

The formal exit of Haskell’s president may not be a positive move, but at least it clears the way for a permanent appointment to that office.

The leadership issue at Haskell Indian Nations University has been clarified but not in a particularly positive way.

In a letter dated Nov. 1, a U.S. Department of the Interior official notified members of the Haskell community that the school’s current president, Linda Sue Warner, had taken another position within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and would not be returning to her job at Haskell. Larry Echo Hawk expressed his appreciation for Warner’s service and indicated that Chris Redman will continue to serve as Haskell’s acting president. In the meantime, the vacant position will be advertised, and the search will begin for a permanent replacement for Warner.

It’s unfortunate that Haskell will lose the able leadership of Warner, but it is positive news, in a way, that federal officials finally have clarified the leadership position at Haskell. Warner had been shipped away from the Lawrence campus for more than a year while filling BIA positions in other states. During that time, Haskell has had three different acting presidents. The lack of stable, capable leadership hampers Haskell’s progress in many ways.

Warner, who came to Haskell in 2007, encountered resistance from some members of the Haskell community, including the Haskell Board of Regents which voted twice to seek her removal as president. It’s hard to know exactly what triggered their disapproval but such a response isn’t unusual when a university leader wants to make significant changes.

After the second “no confidence” vote last May, the president of the Haskell regents said, “It’s time to move on” from Warner’s leadership. It seems the regents now will get their wish.

Recent actions and policies by some at Haskell have placed the university’s continued academic accreditation in jeopardy. Warner tried to improve and broaden the academic offerings of the school but was rebuffed by those who wanted to keep Haskell’s traditional academic environment.

Haskell could be this country’s foremost academic institution for American Indians. However, there will have to be strong, visionary leadership from the president’s office, and the Haskell regents will have to be motivated by what is in the best interests of preparing college-age American Indians for stimulating, productive roles in today’s society. Members of Congress also most provide more than just minimal fiscal support for the school.

It’s regrettable that Warner was removed and that federal officials took so long to clarify Haskell’s leadership situation. Now, however, that has happened, and BIA officials should move as quickly as possible to fill the vacancy at Haskell with a visionary and capable leader who can help move the American Indian school forward.

Education at all levels of this country is facing severe challenges and none is as acute and pressing as the situation at Haskell.

Linda Warner out as Haskell president; search to begin for successor

The federal government soon will be looking for a new president to lead Haskell Indian Nations University.

Linda Warner, who started work as Haskell president in April 2007, has accepted another job with the Bureau of Indian Education and, therefore, no longer is the school’s president, said Larry Echo Hawk, U.S. assistant secretary for Indian affairs.

Warner had been Haskell president in name only since September 2009, when she had been detailed off campus to perform accreditation work at another federal school for American Indians: Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, N.M.

In January, the government sent her to a regional Bureau of Indian Education office in Oklahoma City, and she has not set foot on the Haskell campus since her departure.

“I want to acknowledge and thank Dr. Warner for her contributions to the BIE, and in particular, Haskell Indian Nations University,” Echo Hawk said, in a letter.

Officials never disclosed their reasons for sending Warner off campus, although she had clashed with some faculty and staff on campus over work rules and plans to launch additional programs.

Members of Haskell’s Board of Regents twice cast votes of “no confidence” in Warner — once before her departure from campus, and again in May — in an continued effort to have her removed from campus. Regents said Warner didn’t properly communicate with regents, filed reports “usurping the authority” of regents, and did not follow a previous agreement that outlined responsibilities for the regents.

The divisiveness on the Haskell campus drew criticism and concern from U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and others in the Kansas Congressional delegation, who eight months ago formally urged the Department of Interior to address leadership concerns at Haskell.

Echo Hawk’s letter, posted Monday, included an update regarding his own visit to campus during the spring.

“While my visit was in the midst of challenging circumstances, I was nonetheless encouraged and inspired by the commitment, dedication and perseverance of the students, administration, faculty and staff of the university,” Echo Hawk said. “Haskell has faced many challenges throughout its 126-year history, and it has met those challenges head on, overcoming adversity and strengthening itself in the process. … One thing remains the same — the perseverance of Haskell that will lead to a brighter future.”

Chris Redman, an education specialist from the bureau’s Oklahoma City office, remains Haskell’s interim president. His latest term as interim president was to end this week, but Echo Hawk extended the term while the government prepares to lead a search for Warner’s successor.

Leading the search will be Keith Moore, who started June 1 as director of the Bureau of Indian Education. A committee will conduct a national search for candidates.

Dr. Linda Sue Warner leaves Haskell Indian Nations University; Accepts new post.

Dr. Linda Sue Warner has accepted a new post within the Bureau of Indian Education and resigned as President of Haskell Indian Nations University, in Lawrence, Kansas. The announcement was made earlier today by Mr. Larry Echohawk, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs and months ago by George Tiger.

In the time that she was on campus, Dr. Warner tried to make vast improvements at Haskell, which were often met with criticism from The Haskell Board of Regents, who twice took a vote of no confidence against her. (We wonder how many times Dr. Warner took a vote of no confidence on them). However, this is a Board of Regents (many of whom themselves hold less then a bachelor’s degree and have been on Haskell’s board for way too many years), who since Dr.Warner’s departure from campus over a year ago, have stood by and let graduation rates drop to less than any other post-secondary institution we can find, the same Board of Regents that expected to get paid the minute they set foot on campus and the same Board that let the crime on Haskell’s campus get out of hand. You can thank Stephanie Birdwell and Larry Echohawk for supporting the Regents.

Improvements at Haskell somehow threatened them, and other members of the Haskell faculty (especially the ones who were called on the carpet for not doing their jobs).

Dr. Warner was way ahead of her time for the Haskell bureaucracy, at least she tried. Today the country will try to right itself as it elects new leaders; it is too late for Haskell and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute.

We tip our hats to Dr. Linda Sue Warner and wish her the best in her new endeavors.

haskellnews commentary Nov 02, 2010

Has Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Larry Echohawk, let American Indian Students down?

Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute a two college for American Indians in Albuquerque, New Mexico lost its accreditation. Under the watchful eye of Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Larry Echohawk.

New Mexico, Senator Tom Udall, after visiting a majority of The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools in New Mexico, called for an indictment of all federal officials who let BIE schools get into such a tragic mess. Saying that most, if not all are unsafe for their American Indian students, he called the situation a NATIONAL EMERGENCY and NATIONAL DISGRACE from the United States President on down. All, under the watchful eye of Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Larry Echohawk.

Haskell Indian Nations University, the only four year college for American Indians run by The United States government, lost its well-heeded, University President and begun a one year plus, revolving door of acting administers on an almost weekly basis. The leadership became such a mess that Senator Pat Roberts, had to step in and he is still trying to clean up the mess. Haskell lost some of its best people in the chaos that followed including Safety Officer, Debra Thompson and The Education Department Chair, Russell Blackbird. Crime went up, graduation rates dropped to less then ten percent. Again, under the watchful eye of Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Larry Echohawk.

Has Larry Echohawk let down American Indian Students down? Ask President Barack Obama, he appointed him.

haskellnews commentary 11/01/2010

Related Articles

• Federal law takes on crimes against Indian women (sfgate.com)

Larry Echohawk’s Empty Promises.

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Quote from Larry Echohawk:“We have also made strides in improving the delivery of education to Indian country, both within the BIE’s 183 schools and two universities that serve more than 42,000 Indian students, and within the traditional public school system that serves 95 percent of Indian students”.

Really, Mr.Echohawk ? Ninety one percent of Haskell Indian Nations University students in Lawrence, Kansas are not graduating, crimes are high for such a small campus, and when Dr. Linda Sue Warner was detailed off of  The Haskell campus, leadership at Haskell went with her. Since, then, on almost a week by week, basis, Haskell has had new “Acting administers” and we are using that term loosely.

Quote from Larry Echohawk:“Improved public safety in Indian country is important to establish a climate where students can focus on their education and economic growth can take root. That is why we launched the most aggressive recruiting and hiring effort for BIA officers in history, to bridge the serious gap in officer staffing in Indian country”.

Improved public safety in Indian Country, should that not include Haskell Indian Nations University? The very university that Mr. Echohawk is in charge of ?  Or do American Indian students not count? Haskell’s safety officer, Debra Thompson is now gone from Haskell, her talents and skills lost to Haskell, forever. Is there now yet another acting???

Mr. Echohawk’s big tears and promises of help for Haskell apparently had no true meaning. What has he done for Haskell and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI)? Detailed of one the best President’s Haskell Indian Nations University ever had, along with one of it’s best safety officers’ and teachers like Dr. Russell Blackbird, let graduation rates plumb it to almost zero, students are being raped and one even put into a coma, put Stephanie Birdwell-Bighorn in charge of  The Bureau of Indian schools.

Let Southwestern Indian Polytechnic lose their accreditation!

Mr. Echohawk and Stephanie Birdwell-Bighorn cut loose a lot of Haskell’s best employees and held on to a lot of the not so good ones, including it’s Board of Regents speared headed by George Tiger (for more information on Mr.Tiger go to: The voices of Courage .com) a lot of the board members (not all) only hold two years degrees, if that, and have been sitting this board for many years.

What do they do? Their traveling expenses to come to Haskell are paid for by Haskell, along with lodging and board (can some empty dorm rooms not to found for them? Can they not eat at Cutis)?  They are paid for their time there and ran to Wal-Mart by Haskell employees. All the while crying to The Haskell students, Haskell has no money!

What does Haskell’s Board of Regents do for the Haskell students? Take away four year degree programs and sometimes ride on a float….too bad they don’t just float off of the Haskell campus.

Who put Larry Echohawk in charge? Oh, yes, President Barack Obama, we would like to thank him too.

How big is a mess, when U.S. Senators have to become involved and try to clean it up?

By the way we sincerely want to thank Senator Pat Roberts who continues trying to clean up Larry Echohawk’s and Stephanie Birdwell-Bighorn’s mess.

Keep crying Mr. Echohawk…your tears mean nothing anymore.

Larry Echohawk’s quotes and full article can be found at: http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/opinion/Restoring-the-trust-

haskellnews commentary

October 30, 2010.

George Tiger and Haskell Indian Nations University President’s Office cancels Board of Regents meeting.

George Tiger and The Haskell’s President’s Office ( the acting this week is Clyde Peacock) has canceled the November 2010 Board of Regents meeting due to a lack of quorum.

Funny, we thought you had to actually be at the meeting to see if a quorum exists or not. Besides if George Tiger is going to be there, he thinks highly enough of himself to be the quorum. Just ask his own tribal members at The Creek Nation. Link: http://www.thevoicesofcourage.com

Not that the Haskell Board of Regents needs to meet. All they seem to accomplish is spending the schools money and canceling four year programs.

Never mind all of the current problems Haskell is now facing, the crime on campus, the lack of graduates, and no leadership whatsoever at the school.

George Tiger is right, this particular board of regents needs too stay where they are at…. at home.

haskellnews commentary October 28, 2010.

President Barack Obama takes on crimes against American Indian Women.

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President Barack Obama signed an act into law last July, The Tribal Law and Order Act. A federal law aimed at combating crime in Indian country. Link:www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/07/29/tribal-law-and-order-act-2010-a-step-forward-native

*“The statistics in Indian Country regarding violence against women are disturbing to say the least. It’s incumbent upon us to take appropriate action,” said Wizipan Garriott, policy adviser to Assistant Interior Secretary of Indian Affairs.”

President Obama and Larry Echohawk may want to take a look at Haskell Indian Nations University, in Lawrence, Kansas. A government run school, that they are in charge of. What are Haskell’s statistics  on crime against women and the crime on Haskell’s campus in general? Are the current administrators reporting it to the F.B.I. as required under Compliance of The Clery Act? Link: www2.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/handbook.pdf

We want to acknowledge The Lawrence Journal World for bringing to light the latest in a long list of crimes at Haskell.

We also want to acknowledge any Haskell staff who helped the rape victim last Saturday nmorning and the Lawrence Police Officers who responded to the call.

*Link to the full story : http://www.nativetimes.com/images/stories/10October25

Haskellnews commentary October 27, 2010

Related Articles

• Federal law takes on crimes against Indian women (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• House approves Tribal Law and Order Act (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Federal law takes on crimes against Indian women (sfgate.com)
• Obama to sign Tribal Law and Order Act (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Obama to sign Tribal Law and Order Act (sfgate.com)
• Tribes, feds work to implement law and order act (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Tribes, feds work to implement law and order act (sfgate.com)

Did the rape victim at Haskell Indian Nations University leave the school?

 

 

 

Did the rape victim from Saturday night’s attack leave Haskell Indian Nations University? If so where is her attacker? Does he remain in the dorms? Is this becoming status quo for Haskell? Are students who get in trouble there being told not to worry about it, because the head of Haskell’s student court will work with them? Are Haskell’s current administrators choosing to keep the wrong students at Haskell?

A brutal rape, four arrests in one night, all on the small campus of Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. One could argue it can happen anywhere, but for such a small campus as Haskell’s, four arrests in one night, is a lot, isn’t it?

Could it be that some Haskell housing staff and the current administrators are not doing their jobs? Are some housing staff allowed to bring their friends to work with them for entire shifts? Are those friends allowed to check the status of the dorm? While the employee makes quilts?

Or could it be that this all starts at the top? From President Barack Obama who is in charge of The Bureau of Indian Education, down to Larry Echohawk, Keith Moore, Stephanie Birdwell-Bighorn, to Haskell’s current administrators ( Venida Chenault) and Board of Regents ( George Tiger).

Shouldn’t Kansas Educators be yelling from the roof tops? After all Haskell is in Kansas is it not? Can government officials, educators, and the public at large simply turn their heads and look away because this is a government school for American Indians?

Did Larry Echohawk cry big tears at a talk he gave at Haskell over a year ago promising to make things better there, never to be heard from again? Now, he has a real reason to cry. Someone’s daughter, friend, granddaughter, Haskell student was brutally raped at one of his schools Saturday night. The much talked about change never came. Now at least one Haskell student is scarred for life.

It is against federal law for campus crimes not to be reported to the cleryact@securityoncampus.org. Are Haskell’s current administrators reporting the campus crimes? If not they are putting any Haskell student who receives federal student aid in jeopardy from being cut from that program.

The boarding school mentality of keeping everything bad that happens at Haskell a secret, is coming to a swift end.

It is our hope that Senator Pat Roberts is still working on his uphill battle to bring real leadership to Haskell, but, wait, could it be too late for that?

haskellnews commentary Oct 26, 2010.