SE Kansas News

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran from Kansas addressed the Senate, highlighting the need for reforms at Haskell Indian Nations University to better support its students, faculty, and staff.

"Haskell University serves as a custodian of Tribal culture offering students the opportunity to receive tuition-free higher education in an environment that understands and prioritizes indigenous values," Moran stated. He emphasized the importance of Haskell despite the challenges it faces.

"The history of the federal government’s treatment of Native Americans is filled with broken promises," he said. "We should not allow Haskell – a cornerstone of Native American higher education – to become another promise we fail to keep. The students who walk through the doors at Haskell deserve better than the inefficiency and mismanagement and neglect they face under the current governance system."

Senator Moran, alongside Representative Tracey Mann, introduced draft legislation aimed at federally chartering Haskell Indian Nations University. This would involve transferring its governance from the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) to the Haskell Board of Regents while maintaining federal funding.

The legislators are actively seeking input from Native American communities, Lawrence residents, and those involved in higher education to ensure that their proposal effectively tackles key issues faced by Haskell University.