This week, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) and Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Chairman Burgess Owens (R-Utah) led a follow-up letter to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland requesting additional information about the reports of widespread misconduct and abuse at Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU). In part, the members wrote:

"The House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the House Committee on Natural Resources (Committees) are conducting ongoing oversight into alleged misconduct involving the Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) and the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). On July 2, 2024, the Committees jointly sent a letter (Joint Letter) to Director Tony Dearman seeking documents and information related to the BIE report titled Haskell Indian Nations University – Administrative Investigation Report: Allegation of Harassment, Bullying, Nepotism, Theft, Sexual Assault, Workplace Harassment/Intimidation/Bullying, Fraud, Waste and Abuse, and Drinking on Campus at Haskell Indian Nations University, located in Lawrence, Kansas (AIB Report), which was submitted to the BIE Human Resources Officer on November 7, 2022, but is dated January 13, 2023.

"In response to our Joint Letter, DOI invited Majority and Minority staff from both Committees to review—in camera—less-redacted copies of the AIB Report as submitted on November 7, 2022, as finalized on January 13, 2023, and exhibits thereto. Staff from the Committees reviewed the materials DOI provided on August 1 and August 13, 2024. The Committees’ in camera review made clear that the information contained in the documents is material to the investigation. For example, Committee staff observed significant differences between the draft and finalized AIB Report, including potential deletion of critical details and improper redactions. The review made equally clear that the information contained in the documents made available could not be fully processed within the time, logistical, and technological limitations inherent in an in camera review."

To read the full letter, click here. 

Background

HINU is the only four-year university operated by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), with federal support from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). HINU’s student body comprises students from federally recognized tribes across the nation.

HINU has a well-documented history of mismanagement, misconduct, and retaliation against students and employees. In November 2018, the Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General (DOI OIG) published a report highlighting significant allegations of official mishandling of complaints regarding sexual assault, bullying, nepotism, employee favoritism, and fraud. Since the publication of the DOI OIG report, allegations of misconduct, dysfunction, and retaliation have only increased. As a result of these issues, HINU has been unable to retain leadership. HINU's latest president, Frank Arpan, is the university’s eighth president in six years.

Haaland has emphasized her role as the first Indigenous female cabinet member and the impact her position will have on transforming native communities. Yet during her tenure, malfeasance has plagued HINU, the institution meant to be the pinnacle of BIE-operated schools. In 2022, BIE investigated misconduct at HINU reported by students and faculty. BIE’s investigation concluded with the Haskell Indian Nations University – Administrative Investigation Report, which detailed serious widespread abuse and misconduct allegations.

Despite repeated requests, committee staff were only provided highly redacted portions of the report during the initial phases of their investigation. After requesting more information, staff were invited to review less redacted copies of the report in camera, posing significant limitations and ultimately leading to more questions about the details of the report. Today's letter is part of the part of the continued effort by the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Education and the Workforce’s continued effort to hold the Biden-Harris administration responsible for the routine misconduct at HINU.