In a powerful display of cultural pride and unity, Haskell Indian Nations University held its long-awaited Spring Resilience Powwow on Saturday, April 5, after a difficult winter that saw the campus rocked by sudden and baseless employee terminations.
Originally scheduled as a Spring Welcome Back Powwow in February, the event was postponed after the federal government forced Haskell to terminate approximately three dozen employees on February 14. The impact on students, staff, and the broader Haskell community was profound — but so too was their response.
Renamed the Spring Resilience Powwow, the event took place inside the Coffin Sports Complex and served as a vibrant symbol of endurance, community strength, and spiritual grounding. Grand Entry began at 6 p.m., led by the Haskell Veterans Association, who served as the color guard — a deeply honored tradition.
Manny King (Northern Cheyenne) brought energy and warmth as the evening’s master of ceremonies, while Steve Byington (Delaware) maintained order and flow as arena director. Darrell Hill Jr. (Oneida, Menominee) traveled from Tama, Iowa, to serve as head man dancer, and Sara Bointy (Kiowa, Dakota, enrolled Comanche), from right here in Lawrence, was honored as head lady dancer.
The powwow welcomed all — from local alumni to visiting royalty, drum groups to spectators, and prospective students to current ones. A special giveaway was held for future Spring 2025 Haskell students, a reminder that despite challenges, Haskell’s legacy continues to grow and inspire.
This Is Topeka attended the powwow and witnessed firsthand the beauty, reverence, and power of the evening. The rhythmic pulse of the drums, the elegance of traditional regalia, and the palpable sense of healing that filled the arena served as a powerful reminder: Haskell is more than a university — it is a community that endures.
