HASKELL INDIAN NATIONS UNIVERSITY • 155 Indian Avenue, Lawrence KS,
PRESS RELEASE
To Haskell Indian Nations University’s family, Tribal members, and Allies in the Topeka area from Haskell Faculty Senate:
Words are inadequate to express the sense of betrayal and loss Haskell faculty feel regarding the so-called “efficiency”
firings across our campus last Friday, February 14, 2025. This executive order sadly represents a continuation of the trail of
broken treaties that U.S. history shows us.
For the Native Nations that have entrusted their family members to our care and education, we want you to know we will
not abandon your students nor our Mission to serve “as the leading institution of academic excellence, cultural and
intellectual prominence, and holistic education that addresses the needs of Indigenous communities.” Neither will we forget
our Vision and commitment to “the advancement of sovereignty, self-determination, and the Inherent rights of tribes.” To
our incredible students, we say be strong and together we will get through this. We must.
Also, we must express tremendous gratitude to all the members of the Lawrence community who have reached out wanting
to help and offer their assistance during this disruptive period. We are deeply appreciative. Sadly, there is no better
evidence of the awkward organizational and administrative system in which Haskell finds itself than our inability to
communicate more quickly about how you might help: even volunteerism is complicated in the system in which we find
ourselves. To the public, rest assured we will communicate soon ways you may enact your support.
Finally, we must express our desire to see all fired faculty and staff removed in last Friday’s “efficiency” purge returned to
their positions immediately. The callous way in which they (you) were terminated was unconscionable. Our gratitude and
respect for you, our Haskell family members, is unwavering. The Haskell Faculty Senate stands in solidarity with students,
staff, faculty, alumni, Tribal Nations, and all our friends.
Haskell Faculty Senate
Here is the letter in its original form.
To read more about Federal Cuts at Haskell, Click Here, and check back often for updates.
