Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and the House Committee on Education and Workforce’s Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development continued its ongoing investigation into post-secondary schools run by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). 

"As Congress, and a nation, we have a trust responsibility to Indian Country that cannot be pushed aside. Numerous wrongdoings at Haskell and other tribal schools have gone on far too long and tribal students deserve better. Rather than ignoring these troubling issues, more can and should be done to empower these institutions, with the input of tribes, to be the best versions of themselves." - Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.)

"Education is the key to unlocking the American Dream. That is why it is so critical all students, including Native Americans, have access to a high-quality education. Yet too many Native American students are forced to learn in an unsafe environment, plagued by bullying and sexual harassment. This must end." - Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Chairman Burgess Owens (R-Utah)

Background

The BIE's two post-secondary institutions, Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) and the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI), have long suffered from an absence of oversight and accountability, including rampant criminal and civil wrongdoing, plummeting graduation rates and deteriorating facilities.

Despite calls for justice from tribal students, the Biden administration’s Department of the Interior, led by the first Native American Secretary of the Interior, failed to respond to these pleas at both HINU and SIPI.

During the 118th Congress, the House Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Education and Workforce investigated numerous claims of misconduct within BIE-operated schools. The investigation included letters and requests for information from the Biden administration to shed light on allegations of misconduct and mismanagement at Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU).

On July 23, 2024, the committees held a joint hearing with testimony from former and current faculty at HINU, including the former university president, Dr. Ronald Graham. The joint investigation has uncovered a severe lack of oversight by BIE that has allowed misconduct to occur, including payroll fraud, embezzlement, retaliation against employees and students, mishandling of sexual assault and harassment incidents, non-adherence to federal background investigation requirements and other issues. 

Today's hearing is the next step in the continued investigation into misconduct at these institutions, and an opportunity to work toward solutions to improve the educational environment for the students they serve.