Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Chairman Burgess Owens (R-Utah) and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) led a letter to Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Bryan Newland and Director of the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Tony Dearman as part of their continued investigation into misconduct 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 Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) and the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). The Committees are concerned BIE has failed to enforce regular background investigations for the Haskell National Board of Regents (Board of Regents), as required by Personnel Security regulations for Bureau Operated Schools. 

"On July 23, 2024, the Committees held a joint hearing entitled “Investigating How the Biden Administration Ignored Cries for Help from Students at Haskell Indian Nations University” that included testimony from the former President of HINU, Dr. Ronald Graham.  Dr. Graham began his tenure as president on February 21, 2020. He testified that he learned in May 2020 that “background checks for the Haskell Board of Regents, required by Federal law, had not been performed in 10 years and, in some cases, longer.”  He further testified that in 2020, when BIE agreed to conduct background investigations for the Board of Regents, the investigations revealed “three Regents who failed to pass, at least one of whom was a convicted felon." 

To read the full letter, click here.

Background

HINU is the only four-year university operated by BIE, with federal support from 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.

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the House Committee on Natural Resources have conducted significant oversight into these allegations and continue to request information from those involved. On July 23, 2024, the committees held a joint hearing that included testimony from former HINU President Dr. Ronald Graham.