History
The history of Haskell Indian Nations University is a unique story, reflecting both U.S. Indian policy and self-determination efforts by Indian Country and Alaska Native communities. Haskell was founded during an era when Native American boarding schools were created as a way to undermine Tribes and Tribal Nations. From this original mission, Haskell has transformed into a Tribal-based university whose alumni work in numerous areas to serve Indian Country and Alaska Native communities.
- 1884: Formed as the United States Indian Industrial Training School, the school opened for 22 students, a number that increased to 400 within one semester. According to the university's website, the early trades for boys included tailoring, wagon making, blacksmithing, harness making, painting, shoe making, and farming. Girls studied cooking, sewing and homemaking. Most of the students' food was produced on the Haskell farm, and students were expected to participate in various industrial duties.
- 1887: Name changed to Haskell Institute to honor Dudley Haskell, the U.S. Representative responsible for the school being in Lawrence. Under a semi-military system, students wore uniforms, marched to classes and exercised regularly. Facilities included a brig, or jail for unruly students.
- 1894: 606 students from 36 states.
- 1927: High school classes were accredited by the state of Kansas, and Haskell also began offering post high school courses in a variety of areas.
- 1965: Haskell graduated its last high school class.
- 1970: Haskell began offering a junior college curriculum and changes its name to Haskell Indian Junior College.
- 1988: Planning begins for the transformation from a junior college into a baccalaureate-degree granting university and national center for Indian education, research, and cultural preservation.
- 1993: The Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Ada Deer, approves the vision developed by and for Haskell, and the junior college's name is changed to Haskell Indian Nations University. Haskell offers its first four-year baccalaureate degree program in elementary teacher education.
- 1998: Haskell begins to offer baccalaureate degrees in American Indian studies, Business Administration, and Environmental Sciences.
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