EDUCATION

Native American community colleges serve some of the most rural and remote populations across the U.S., and with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing many of those schools online for the first time, they’ve seen big declines in student enrollment.

The post Native American Community Colleges See Enrollment Declines appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.

The Indian Leader would like to welcome Jolona Shield-Dzakic to the Haskell family as the Head Softball Coach for Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU)!

Jolana was born and raised in Lawrence, Kansas. She is an alumni student of Lawrence High School, where she was awarded 6A Sunflower All-Conference and 6A All-State for the softball program. After graduating high school Shield-Dzakic attended Cowley County Community College as a student-athlete for their Tiger softball program. At Cowley, she was awarded 1st Team All-Conference both her freshmen and sophomore year, Cowley College Student-Athlete of the Month, NJCAA All American, and Dean’s Honor Roll. After graduating from Cowley, she transferred to Mount Mercy University as a student-athlete to round out her Junior and Senior years. While at Mount Mercy University, she was awarded 1st Team All-Conference, broke the Single Season RBI record, and tied the Long-Standing Home Run record. As an athlete, Shield-Dzakic played as a pitcher, 1st baseman, and a power hitter. In May 2019, she graduated from Mount Mercy University with her Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration. 

Shield-Dzakic previously volunteered her time to help the Haskell Softball program in the fall of 2019. In spring 2020, Shield-Dzakic was hired as one of the assistant coaches for the Softball program at HINU. Jolona Shield-Dzakic is now excited to be given the opportunity to be the Head Coach for the HINU softball program.

Shield-Dzakic descends from the Apsalooke and Oglala Lakota peoples. Both her parents are Haskell Alumni. Onward Haskell!

Image curtesy of Jolona Shield-Dzakic

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Recently the United States Senate voted 51-40 to confirm New Mexico representative and member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, Deb Haaland, to serve as President Biden’s Secretary of the Interior. Haaland’s nomination is one of unprecedented historical significance in that she is the first Native American to oversee the Department of the Interior, a department tasked with managing the country’s natural resources and its government-to-government relationship with tribes. She was confirmed on March 15, 2021.

Michelle Sturges-Brown, professor of English at Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU), is excited about this nomination:

“Haaland’s confirmation marks a historic moment in tribal history where we can look back and say she was the first. I truly believe she will not be the last, and that gives me hope for a culturally-inclusive future. During Secretary Deb Haaland’s visit to Haskell, while campaigning with Representative Sharice Davids, she cited her tribal upbringing and commitment to the land and its resources as part of her inspiration to enter into politics. Her words resonated with our intertribal community because the land and its resources connect us to our ancestors, history, and languages. Her words come from lived experience, and they would have felt hollow coming from someone without the same experiences.”

The Department of the Interior has historically wronged Native Americans in numerous ways — from failing to uphold treaties to withholding billions of dollars from tribes; the department has done a poor job of serving the country’s first people. Shortly after the department was formed, former Secretary Carl Schurz had this to say about Native Americans:

“If Indians are to live at all, they must learn to live like white men.” He continued: “The alternative to civilization is extermination.”

Christie Cooke, English professor at HINU, offers her thoughts on the confirmation and what she thinks it will do for Indian Country:

“I imagine her caring and studying the issues carefully and thoughtfully, unlike previous Secretaries that would’ve let it pass along without a second thought, as their constituents and their party’s agendas took priority and Indian Country came last.” She added: “She has our unique perspective of being Native American today. She knows about how the Department of Interior affects Native American education, as well as health care, mineral rights, public lands, and many other trust obligations that the US government is responsible for because of the unique relationship the US has with the federally-recognized tribes in America. This is completely historical to have a female Native American cabinet secretary, but I also hope tribal nations and federally recognized tribes see this as an opportunity and take every opportunity to work with Secretary Haaland. The younger generation must get involved in political issues and elect qualified Native American people like Deb Haaland if we want to be heard and if we want our issues to be resolved.

Featured Image by Tiffany Blevins, Deb Haaland (left) & Sharice Davids (right), from “Indigenous Women Congressional Candidates Visit“ from 2018.

The post Haskell Faculty Offer Thoughts on the Nomination of Deb Haaland to Secretary of the Interior appeared first on The Indian Leader.

An “impartial administrative review team” is visiting the Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) campus this week at the direction of Tony Dearman, Director of the Bureau of Indian Education in response to the Haskell Faculty Senate’s “vote of no confidence” resolution in incumbent University President Ronald Graham. Dearman’s announcement of the investigation said, “Our goal is to use this impartial review to help make sure HINU continues to function as a premier standard for post-secondary education in Indian Country while supporting the rights of students and staff.”

If HINU faculty, staff, adjunct instructors, or students have concerns they want the team to address, they have been instructed to send emails to Tamarah Pfeiffer [Tamarah.Pfeiffer@bie.edu], Francine Jaramillo [Francine.Jaramillo@bie.edu], and Margaret Coffey-Pilcher [Margaret.Coffey-Pilcher@bie.edu].

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When incumbent University President Ronald Graham came to Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) last May, he brought with him years of experience — nearly 15 years as a Criminology Professor at Fresno City College as well as almost two years as Director of Criminal Justice at NW Christian University. Adding to Graham’s background, Daniel Burland, Ph.D. was announced as Dean of Students in early March in an email that stated, “Dr. Burland has over 20 years of college teaching experience, first in French language and then in the related fields of Sociology, Criminology, and Legal Studies.” The culmination of experiences in criminology is resulting in a proposed online criminology program at HINU.

“Our online Criminal Justice and Humanities programs are almost ready to submit to the Curriculum Committee for review, discussion, and approval,” said Graham in a memo to faculty on March 30. The announcement received criticism. “President Graham proposes new baccalaureate, masters, and Ph.D. degree programs without any engagement or consultation with Haskell Faculty Senate or the Haskell Board of Regents,” said the Haskell Faculty Senate in a “vote of no confidence” resolution passed just days later. The resolution included multiple allegations that Graham has not effectively communicated with faculty and has not participated in shared governance.

While Graham has not consulted with Haskell Faculty Senate or the Board of Regents, he has met with the Lawrence Kansas Police Department (LKPD). “We have had informal preliminary discussions with the HINU administration about a potential criminology program. As the primary responding law enforcement agency to HINU, we are excited about the prospect of being involved in this type of program and its potential,” said Patrick Compton, Public Affairs for the LKPD.

The Indian Leader reached out to Graham Wednesday, but did not receive a comment by publication on Friday.

The post LKPD Excited for a Proposed New Criminology Program, Faculty Left Out of Discussions appeared first on The Indian Leader.

April 7 — Following shared governance criticism by its Faculty, Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) is now delaying a Dual Enrollment Program that would provide Native American high school students with opportunities to gain college credit. The university deleted the original social media posts that announced the program and said, “Please excuse our error. In our excitement about the Dual Enrollment Program, we announced it before all the i’s were dotted, and t’s crossed. Stay tuned – we will release specific information about enrollment and courses soon.“

The announcement to postpone comes after Haskell Faculty Senate unanimously passed a “vote of no confidence” resolution last Thursday which had stated, “President [Ronald] Graham continues to exclude faculty and academic deans from critical decisions about dual enrollment, effective scheduling of on-line courses, and use of the limited full-faculty Haskell currently has.”

Details about the program were provided to faculty in a memorandum on March 30th, just days before the resolution was certified, where HINU President Ronald Graham said, “The 6th high school signed our Dual Enrollment MOU last Friday. We currently have another 25 we’re working with regarding this same initiative. These are exciting times!! As you’re aware, we are offering 18-units to Native high school juniors and seniors free of charge. We will use Cares [sic] Act monies to fund this. Our recruiting team is doing a phenomenal job.”

No information has been provided at this time as to how long the program will be delayed.

The post HINU Delays Dual Enrollment Program Following Faculty Critiscm appeared first on The Indian Leader.

The legislation creates the Telecommunications Workforce Training Grant Program, allowing TCUs to partner with industry stakeholders and apply for grants to train students.

The post New Bipartisan Sinema Bill Expands Opportunities at Tribal Colleges appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.

A previously undetermined Technology Grant amount has now been announced as $1,000 per student for the spring semester. The student aid grant comes from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) announced earlier in the semester. Distribution of the grant will begin April 5, with many students already reporting direct deposits. Following this grant, a final Pell Eligible Grant will be awarded to pell-eligible students, but the amount has yet to be announced.

Click Here for Full Announcement Details

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Panelists will discuss the future of online education and how it fits into nation-building and tribal colleges’ service to their communities.

The post Leech Lake Tribal College Hosts Virtual Conference on Distance Learning appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.

The American Indian College Fund honors students of the year, Coca Cola First Generation Scholars, and its 2020-21 Tribal College and University Honoree of the Year, Cory Sangrey-Billy.

The post College Fund Honors Students of the Year, Coca Cola Scholars, and Honoree of the Year appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.

April 2 — Haskell Faculty Senate unanimously presents Resolution No. 2021-01 to Tony Dearman, Director of the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), stating, “Support for a vote of no confidence in the leadership, commitment to shared governance, a collegial culture of academic integrity, and transparent communication of Dr. Ronald Graham, President of Haskell Indian Nations University.”

The resolution alleges that Graham has violated shared governance, the Haskell Faculty Senate Constitution (2017), and multiple Higher Learning Commission requirements all of which threaten the university’s accreditation and future. Haskell Faculty Senate also alleges multiple issues with the incumbent president, like “[excluding] faculty and academic deans from critical decisions about dual enrollment, effective scheduling of on-line courses, and use of the limited full-faculty Haskell currently has.”

The resolution also addresses concerns for free speech and expression, saying, “President Graham has demonstrated disdain for collegial academic culture and the unique Indigenous character of Haskell, as evidenced in his disregard for academic freedom, the free speech rights of our students and faculty, and by the autocratic manner in which he seeks to run, not lead, Haskell,”

A total of nine “whereas” clauses lay out the foundation for the senate’s resolute statement, “And Now Therefore Be It Resolved, the Haskell Faculty Senate declares no confidence in either Dr. Graham’s leadership or his effective use of shared governance for Haskell Indian Nations University.”

The post Faculty Senate Votes ‘No Confidence’ In University President Ronald Graham appeared first on The Indian Leader.

So easy and good, it might just leave you speechless. This recipe is simple, adaptable, and a great introduction to intuitive cooking.

• graham/whole wheat flour
• brown sugar
• cinnamon
• baking powder
• salt
• lard or other fat (tallow, butter, etc.)
• water

1. Preheat Oven to 350º Fahrenheit.
2. In a bowl, mix whole wheat flour with brown sugar at a 2 to 1 ratio. For example, 4 heaping spoonfuls of whole wheat flour mixed with 2 heaping spoonfuls of brown sugar.
3. Add salt and baking powder to taste. Salt enhances flavor, and baking soda adds rise as well as saltiness. Salt and baking powder should be added in equal parts. If you’re unfamiliar with salting to taste, take a pinch of salt and a pinch of baking powder and mix them into the dry ingredients; take a small pinch of the mixture and taste it for flavor; keep adding, mixing, and tasting until you develop a strong enhanced flavor, but stop before the mixture starts to taste salty. If over-salted your mixture you may add more flour and sugar.
4. Next, add cinnamon to taste as well. The amount will be about equal to the amount of baking soda and salt added together. As you develop skills in adding-to-taste, you’ll be able to better judge the amounts needed to add more than a pinch at a time.
5. Add your lard or other fat. Add a spoonful of fat and work it into the dry ingredients thoroughly. You will repeat this step adding more fat and mixing thoroughly until the desired texture. The texture will move from falling like sand to falling in pea-sized clumps when sifting through fingers. Stop when this texture is reached.
6. Add water. Very little water is needed to bring the mixture into a dough. Slowly add water little by little working the dough until it forms a ball.
7. Lightly flour a surface to roll the dough out. Roll to about 1/8″ thick and cut into desired shapes. Large shapes may need a spatula to transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Bake for 15-18 minutes at 350º. Whole wheat will make it hard to tell when they start to take on color. The graham crackers should still be somewhat soft when taking them out, and as they cool, they will hold their shape.
9. The cooled graham crackers can be stored in an airtight container for about 5 days.

Make this recipe your own! Try adding or substituting ingredients. Butter will give a different flavor than using lard. Try adding honey or agave nectar to the recipe to sweeten it, or try adding other spices.

The post A Graham Cracker Recipe That Will Leave You Speechless appeared first on The Indian Leader.

BMCC student Sarah Gardner Weber lost her battle with COVID-19 late last year and her family has established a scholarship to keep her memory and legacy alive.

The post BMCC Establishes Sarah Gardner Weber Memorial Scholarship appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.

Iḷisaġvik College began working in partnership with ANTHC in 2016 by offering a two-year associate’s degree in dental health therapy.

The post Iḷisaġvik Congratulates Mary Williard for Prestigious Dentistry Award appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.

The grant will help fuel Native American student success in careers in healthcare and education.

The post American Indian College Fund Receives $1.125 Million Grant to Boost Workforce in North Dakota and Montana appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.

The legislation would create a grant program that would award $100 million in grants to Tribal Colleges and Universities and other minority-serving institutions to develop job-training programs to educate and train students to participate in the telecommunications workforce.

The post IMPACT Act Would Improve Minority Participation and Careers in Telecommunications appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.

Little Priest plans to use the latest funding to develop a 10-acre parcel adjacent to the campus, which is owned by the Winnebago Tribe, into more buildings and campus space.

The post Little Priest Tribal College Gets New Buildings and Updates Classrooms appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.

Student government leaders at FDLTCC determined that the spring semester food bundles would help address the food needs of students and their families.

The post FDLTCC Distributes Spring Food Bundle to Students appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.

It’s past time for the United States to afford more protections to women. The reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act will do just that while also expanding tribal sovereignty.

The post Tell Your Senators to Pass VAWA appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.

Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) Mail Clerk Althea “Bea” Dawn Tapahonso Eaton, self-described as the university Postmistress, passed at the age of 50 on March 26. Althea’s family will be holding a viewing in Lawrence on March 30 and she will be laid to rest on April 2 in Fruitland, New Mexico. Althea joins her late husband Fredrico Eaton who passed 4 years prior. Donations are being collected for the family to offset funeral costs and to support her children (click here).

Althea’s death marks a great loss for the HINU community. She was the advisor for Off-Campus Club, served on the Commencement Committee, and helped students with children find Christmas gifts. She is preceded in death by HINU colleagues David Charles Bohannon (58), Nia Schedxnider (30), Margaret Ann Wermy (64), and Patricia “Pati” Wakolee, who all passed this last year. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Althea and her family, along with the HINU community of whom these tragedies have impacted.

The post Althea Eaton Passes Amid Year of Staff Losses appeared first on The Indian Leader.