EDUCATION

Winter is a time for storytelling and gift giving. The professor from College of Menominee Nation highlights some of the best Native books published in 2019.

The post The Best Native Books of 2019 appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.

Carmelita Litson wove her way through a throng of student and administrative helpers Wednesday as they talked and mingled with dozens of senior citizens gathered for the second annual Elder Appreciation Celebration.

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The post Diné College Hosts Elderly Appreciation Celebration appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.

Bay Mills Community College (BMCC) is now offering students financial support through the Waganakising Odawa Career and Technical Education Program (WOCTEP). The program provides support for associate degree and certificate programs in medical office studies,

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The post New Program at Bay Mills Community College Offers Students Financial Assistance appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.

The board of trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has named Stephanie Hammitt to serve as the permanent president of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC).

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The post Stephanie Hammitt Named President of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.

The following series of posters were completed by students in the Environmental Issues of the Wakarusa Wetlands class taught by Professors Jay T. Johnson, Joseph P. Brewer, Cody Marshal and guest instructor Dave Loewenstein.

Inspired by the decades long struggle to protect he Wakarusa Wetlands from the now built K-10 trafficway, students from both Haskell and KU worked in pairs to imagine how to re-engage the Lawrence community with the continued challenges facing this ecosystem and the cultural life which it embodies. The posters are on display at the Spencer Museum of Art and available as free downloads at – http://ipsr.ku.edu/cfirst/projects/wearethewetlands.shtml

• By Dave Loewenstein
• By Sarah Milgrim and Alisha Numan
• By Sean Kulig and Ben Luancing
• By Remington Gritts and Tianqing Yan
• By Zachariah Walker and William Edmo
• By Jay T. Johnson
• By Kaleb Proctor and Troy Watterson
• By Rayven Merrill and Skyler Devoe
• By Trevor Guinn and Summer Powell
• By Roman Yearby and Adam Munoz
• By Sumer Al-Ahdali and Kami Naylor

“We’ve been received by the Haskell Community very well. [Dr. Wildcat] has been just a great guy to work with. When he heard that we were interested he was like ‘I want those guys here. I want them to get us on the show’ ” said Mike LeGarde, producer of the Native Report.

PBS’s The Native Report is a magazine-style television broadcasting production covering Indian country. “We travel to get stories of Native America: Native individuals, Native institutions, and Native organizations such as Haskell. As a producer I like to go to places where the show has never been before” said Mike LeGarde traveling with his photographer, AJ Larson from Duluth, Minnesota to cover Haskell.

“[People] might have heard [of Haskell], but they might not know about strong academics that the school offers. So that’s why we’re here; just going to get a few stories, one of the school itself, [and] we interviewed Jerry Tuckwen about the Indian [Athletic] Hall of Fame. Even though it’s not Haskell’s it’s still here and not a lot of people know about it.” said LeGarde.

Student-athletes Joshua Garcia, Cailey Lujan, Kasi Lucio, Justine Butterfield, and Janee Bates; softball coach Gary Tanner; faculty Tyler Kimbrell; Athletic Director Nana Alison-Brewer; and Indian Athletic Hall of Fame representative and inductee and Haskell Alumnus and past coach Jerry Tuckwen were all interviewed by LeGarde to tell the story of Haskell, and Haskell’s interconnected history with the Indian Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Native Report’s story on Haskell will be published on https://native.wdse.org and reach a national audience in 30 states. Haskell’s Athletic Director Nana Alison-Brewer was asked what this national attention would do for the Haskell sports program.

She said, “It’s Exciting. It’s definitely something that we need to do more of. We have this gem of an institution here in the middle of our United States. We have so many amazing native communities throughout our country and alumni who continue to promote [us], but there are also different communities I think we haven’t touched or reached just yet. It’s going to be great to have this exposure for those who have always been interested or curious about Haskell…. [Seeing] what we are doing now is really exciting for us and the future and our athletic department.”

Haskell Indian Nations University has made a significant step forward within the local community. As a symbol of the continuing partnership between HINU and the City of Lawrence, the city commission passed a proclamation recognizing its “long and historic relationship with indigenous peoples of Lawrence.”

University Student Government Association (SGA) President William Wilkinson and Vice President Ahnawake Toyekoyah along with University’s Acting Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Jim Rains and Vice President of University Services Tonia Salvini represented HINU at the city commission meeting. Wilkinson presented a welcoming address to the city commission and a brief statement about the significance of the proclamation. Lawrence Mayor Lisa Larsen read and declared the week of October 6th – 13th, 2019 as Haskell Indian Nations University Week.

This week was to collide in conjunction with Haskell Homecoming, Day at the U event and to also represent as recognizing Haskell’s significance to Indigenous communities.

Spencer resides at Winona Hall. He is a loveable Labrador and dachshund mix. He is three years old. He loves to sniff random stuff. The smelly world around him entices his senses.

He is very friendly. If you see Spencer on campus, feel free to pet him. Unfortunately, he is so popular that he sometimes makes his owner late for classes! So if you see him, understand that he is an important puppy with places to go and people to sniff. He helps his owner by being an immoveable companion. His owner knows that he will be there for her no matter what. He is loyal and loving. His favorite foods are chicken and popcorn! Spencer likes Haskell and we like him too.

If you see Spencer or any of our other emotional service animals around please be respectful and know that they are very special beings.

Thanksgiving is a weird holiday for Indigenous people. We like the food but are not so sure about the outcome. The core purpose is gratitude, which we can all agree on. I wanted to honor my Indigenous blood by remembering a great leader. This Thanksgiving I write about Lozen, who was a female warrior and prophet of the Chihenne Chiricahua Apache people. She is known for her bravery and skills in warfare. She fought alongside Geronimo. She is the sister of Victorio, an Apache chief, who is quoted as saying “strong as a man, braver than most, and cunning in strategy. Lozen is a shield to her people.” I think the qualities that make a leader are empathy, courage, and trust, which Lozen is noted to have.

Primarily, Lozen was made a leader through her intelligence and her Brother, Victorio, who led raids against early Americans who had encroached on their homeland, west of New Mexico’s Black Mountain. She is remembered as having ushered women and children across the Rio Grande during an American led attack. Her empathy for others earned her the gratitude and respect of those she served and saved. Sadly, some would say every Indigenous person in those days were born-leaders because there was a cause; extermination. Those who had the courage to fight back and take the mantle of leadership are the legends. Lozen is legendary for doing this. Her courage to fight for her people and culture separated her into a category with whom she shares space with figures like Joan of Arc and Geronimo. Anglo-Saxon culture sometimes refers to Lozen as “The Apache Joan of Arc.”

Notably, Lozen was an effective leader because people trusted her. She was known as a powerful medicine woman and prophet among her people. She is said to be able to use her mystical powers in battle. It is said that she would have supernatural knowledge of the enemy’s location and movement. Effective leaders always have a higher power to derive from. From Gandhi to Jesus Christ, the ability to acknowledge, tap in, and understand the forces that are widely unknown is a huge component, especially when that ultimate force is benign. In God we trust.

Ultimately, I believe Lozen was a good leader. I imagine her as being a loner. Her perspective and abilities made her able to help her people. I feel sorry for her because the opposing force was just too strong. Lozen died in 1889 at the age of 49. Her name is remembered and her stories are told. We can still learn from her actions today. When genocide comes, what would you do? Lozen shows us to fight, endure, and, most of all, care.

This Thanksgiving, do not forget the most important reason why we gather, share, and eat, it is to care. We are given the opportunity to care about one another and be grateful for all the good things we have. Many of those things did not come for free. Remember Lozen this November

At the University of Kansas, professor and Native scholar Sarah Deer, a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, held her presentation Sovereignty of the Soul: Centering the Voices of Native Women. Deer voiced her findings and research in her presentation on various topics concerning Native rights, women’s rights, and LGBTQ rights. This presentation was not limited to these topics but framed the flow of the conversation Deer was having with her audience. Before initiating her presentation, Deer made it clear that her work and understandings of these topics are coming from her perspective. She told the audience that not all Native people think the same way and she could not speak for all Native people.

The content that was relayed during this presentation weaved together multiple topics. An issue that takes center stage is that Native people, especially Native women, are not given the seat at the table to voice their concerns. Deer elaborated more with examples throughout our history. She described how Native peoples are seen as merely as individuals, that our earlier forms of Native existence had magically disappeared. She believes in the importance of celebrating the accomplishments of the many women throughout history who have been overlooked by the focus of men. Deer also talked about the issues she witnessed firsthand with her clients when she was practicing law. Most of her clients were Native women who had encountered rape or other forms of sexual violence. She communicated the devastating trauma, underrepresentation, and violence that she witnessed with her clients.

Through her presentation, Deer made the case to her audience that Native voices need to be prioritized if we, as a society, are to address the complex issues that Native people face today

United Pueblo Club

Wednesday 5pm

To set meeting to help members with school work, help coup with homesickness. As well as participate in pueblo events throughout the semester. In doing so, members will help fundraise for events, volunteer hours to the university and the community.

Alfred Willie III, alfred.willie@haskell.ed

Rhonda LeValdo, Media Communicaations, 785-749- 8442, rlevaldo@haskell.edu

Boxing club

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 6:30

To learn fundemntals of boxing and to teach confience and self defense

London Summers, london24summers@gmail.com

Yosh Wagner, Trio ext. 405, mwagoner@haskell. edu

Phi Sigma Nu

Wednesday, Stidiam

Empower Native men to engage in academics, social, cultural and physical realms

Thomas Berryhill, Thomas.berryhill@haskell.edu

Joshua Arce, IT 749-8482 Ex 482, jarce@haskell.edu, Pontiac

Dine Club

Monday, Tommaney Hall (Library)

To explore the Dine roots of our ancestors and share our ideology to non-Dine and Dine students on and off campus. As a club we want to engage with on-going campus activities for exposure that leads our club and members opportunities

Autumn Powell, autumn.powell@haskell.edu

Manny King, Guidance Counselor 785-749-8447, Mking@haskell.edu, OK Hall, rm 2023

Gamma Delta Pi Sorority

Sunday, 7pm Roe cloud 1st floor study room

The purpose of Gamma Delta Pi is to create a sisterhood on campus which promotes Indigenous women to support each other socially and academically as well as to promote community involvement, community service and to represent Haskell as well as our own Native nations in a positive way.

Rissa A Garcia-Prudencio, rgprudencio@gmail.com

Danelle McKinney, Student Rights, 7857498415, dmckinney@haskell.edu, Pushmataha

AISES (American Indian Science and Engineer Society)

Sunday, Thursday Alternating locations between KU Engineer Building and Haskell Campus

To have American Indians network in STEM related fields, so they can prepare to have a successful future after Haskell.

Sasheen Goslin, sasheen.goslin@haskell.edu

Josh Arce, Josh Meisel, Information Technology, Geography, 749-8482 x482 , 393-8270 jarce@haskell.edu , jmeisel@ haskell.edu

Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Inc.

Tuesday Roe Cloud Hall study room

The mission of Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Inc. is to create a strong sisterhood that will serve as a support for college women in today’s society. The sisterhood shall support its members in their individual journeys towards a balanced life. The Alpha Pi Omega woman will always strive for greater scholarship, honesty, leadership, service, and personal integrity. The Sorority will work to preserve our Native American traditions, for through celebration and practice of our cultural and spiritual heritage, we become one with each other.

Jamie Colvin, jamiieekay@gmail.com

Rhonda LeValdo, College of Humanities, 749-8442 x442, rlevaldo@haskell.edu

Kansas National Education Association – Aspiring Educators (KNEA-AE)

Thursday Bi-Weekly, Parker Hall Rm 145

KNEA Aspiring Educators is a professional association for college students preparing to enter the education profession.Through its affiliation with KNEA, NEA and the NEA Student Program (NEA-SP), the KNEA-Aspiring Educators (KNEAAE) program provides college students with assistance, benefits, and professional resources. The association gives students the opportunity to learn – not only from each other – but also from a network of campus advisors and from the finest professionals in education.

Lorenzo Pino, lorenzopino55@gmail.com

Jacqueline Boyd, School of Education, (785) 832-6685, jboyd@haskell.edu, Parker Hall

American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC)

Friday, Stidham

Prepare students to participate and compete in the American Indian Higher Education Consortium’s Annual Student Conference. This purpose will be supported by the goals of building a financial, educational, and influential team of students whom will represent Haskell in the 2020 Student Conference.

Susan Hawkins, Susan.hawkins@haskell.edu

Joshua Arce, I.T. x482, jarce@haskell.edu, Poniac Hall

American Indian Healers of Tomorrow (AIHTx)

Wednesday, Roe Cloud study room/ Wiona Study room/ Library

Connect students to experiences and volunteer opportunities so that they can explore the healthcare field.

Sierra Pen, sierra.penn@haskell.edu

Patti Wakolee and Laura Rice, SSC- Student Success Center 749- 8404 x275, pwakolee@haskell.edu, Sequoyah

Hall Haskell Handweavers

Tuesday Tommaney Hall RM 111

Educate Students on indigenous textiles

Carrie Cornelius, ASC, 785-832- 6659, ccornelius@haskell.edu, Tommaney Hall RM 102

Jared Nally, jared.nally@haskell.edu

Pocahontas Hall

Monday 7:30pm

To promote responsibility, growth as a student leader and to create good fellowship among the residents.

Keairah Urrutia, keairah.urrutia@haskell.edu

Wonda Trujillo, Housing, 785-749-8465, wtrujillo@ haskell.edu, Pocahontas Hall

Sigma Nu Alpha Gamma

Monday 5pm

To provide a fraternal brotherhood of support and encouragement to ensure Native American men can achieve their higher education goals, such as graduating, pursuing their educations, and representing their communities in a positive manner.

Sam Riding In, samridingin@gmail.com

Jimmy Beason II, AIS, 785-832-6613 x613, jbeason@ haskell.edu, Parker Hall 127

Social Work

Wednesday 2:30 p.m.

To promote the social work profession through empowerment and advocacy of club members and the Haskell community.

Shanice Chatlin, shanice.chatlin@haskell.edu

Melissa Holder, Faculty, 785-832-6634, mholder@ haskell.edu, Sequoia 129

Haskell Pow-wow Association

Wednesday Tecumseh Gym, downstairs

Have a club to promote the songs and dancers of all the students who enjoy and want to participate in pow-wow’s.

Naomi Nevaquaya, naomi.nevaquaya@haskell.edu

Manny King, University Services, 749-8447 mking@haskell.edu, OK Hall, room 2023

Off Campus Club

Tuesday, Wednesday Approximately 4 to 6 Pm

Plan Student activities and community involvement

Damon Williams, damon.williams@haskell.edu

Carlene Morris, Financial Aid Office, 785-749-8468, c.morris@haskell.edu, Althea Eaton Mail Room

Haskell Worship

Monday, Stidham Union

To unify Haskell Students through fun, fellowship and food!

Priscilla Ortiz, priscilla.ortiz@haskell.edu

Raylene Hayes, NASS x611, raylene. hayes@bie.edu Sequoyah

Native Knights of Iron

Tuesday, Roe Cloud

To promote health and fitness through LARPING, as well as getting students involved with campus activities and to help promote a positive image. The other purpose of this goal is to provide a group where students can feel at ease with other students and interact in a stress-free environment.

Uriah Little Owl, ujello14@gmail.com

Tyler Kimbrell Communications, 7858326680, tkimbrell@haskell.edu, Ross Hall

Varsity Softball Club Monday, Tinker Hall

To be the business end of the Varsity Softball program and to raise awareness and pride of the Haskell Softball program and to give all students the opportunity to participate in Haskell Softball.

Velma Turner, Velma.turner@haskell.edu

Gary Tanner, HSES, 7857498459 ex 233, Gtanner@ haskell.edu, Coffin Complex 102

Alaska Club

Friday, OK Hall

Connect Students from Alaska together and share Our Cultures and Songs

Armando DeAsis, armando.j.deasis@gmail.com

Darla Harrison, Housing, (785)830-2721, harrisondarla3@gmail.com, OK Hall

American Indigenous Business Leader

Monday, Blue Eagle 128.

Promote business leadership within Haskell.

Dreamer Greene, Dreamer.greene@gmail.com

Cheryl Chuckluck, Dean of Professional Schools, 7857498436, Cheryl.chuckluck@BIE.edu, Parker Hall

How do you bring people together? This is the question Alaska Club had to ask itself as member attendance was at its low. Armando DeAsis tells The Indian Leader about the background behind their game night and their boost in attendance.

What was the reason for your game night?

“I was having problems with member turnout… On our practices and our meetings we’d regularly have five people show up… [At one of our meetings], we were talking… and someone brought up a good point, maybe people weren’t showing up because we weren’t actually doing something and we were just having song practices and so I was like fair enough…. I haven’t been planning anything because I was trying to get a grasp on being the president of a club, but I’d totally be willing to do something. So we started brainstorming and came up with an idea for a game night. The closest we could do it… was [November 1st]… The point of it was to promote ourselves a little bit. That was the reason for our game night, and just to show people that we could do it.”

Who were the other clubs you partnered with and why?

“I wanted to include [Haskell] Handweavers… just because I wanted to test out collaborating/working together with another group. I also brought in board game club, who isn’t an officially sanctioned club, but considering we were doing a game night I thought it would be the most appropriate club to include because they are all about just playing games.”

Did member heritage come into play selecting Day of the Dead as the theme for the event?

“The reason we came to the Day of the Dead theme was that it was going to be right after Halloween… I realized it was Day of the Dead…. I’m half Mexican… [Total] Three of [the executive committee] and one [other member] who is also Mexican. I thought it would be appropriate because that is the holiday that is going on, we were Mexican as well as Alaskan and a lot of what Day of the Dead is, like any holiday, especially one that is about remembering the people who have passed on, is to be with friends and family and to have a good time. It’s not mourning them it’s celebrating them. [Game night] was to just bring friends and family together to have a good time the day after Halloween.”

How did it feel to see players favor board games over video games?

“That was cool. I kind of expected it… Just in my experience more often than not I prefer to play games where I’m talking and interacting with people. That was super interesting to see [the videogames] being played for a while then all of a sudden there was no one touching [them]. I thought that was super cool. It gets back to the whole thing of people just wanting to be together and talk and have a good time and actually interact with each other.”

Finally, how successful was game night, and did it boost club attendance?

“I think we’ve had one practice since then, and more people showed up… We’ve had one new member and this was just the tip of the iceberg. The more we do events similar to this, we’ll eventually get a good snowball effect going where we continue to get more people. But, I think it was successful, I think getting at least one new member was huge and getting our current members to show up was even bigger so on that front I think it was very successful.”

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For those interested in the clubs: Alaska Club meets on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm in the Osceola-Keokuk Hall Classroom (upstairs), Board Game Club meets on Thursdays at 5:00 pm at Ross hall in the writing center, and Haskell Handweavers meets on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm in the Tommaney Hall Library room 111.

As often as we can, the Leader features recipes submitted by members of the student body. Whether you’ve just been itching to express yourself through the culinary arts, or just need a break from Curtis Hall. We’ve got you covered.

Whole Wheat Breadsticks

Time Needeed: Roughly 60 Minutes

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cup warm water
• 1 Tbsp dry active yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 3-4 cups whole wheat flour
• olive oil
• 1-2 eggs (optional for added fluffiness)

Seasonings/Toppings

• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• salt
• pepper
• shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• shredded parmesan cheese
• 3Tbs melted butter

Directions

Mix the warm water and yeast in a separate bowl. Let the mixture rest for 5-10 minutes to proof the yeast (become foamy). Once proofed, add the egg(s) (optional), and gradually add the flour while mixing the dough thoroughly as you go. Depending on your mixture you may need more or less than 3 cups of flour so tailor the amount of flour as needed. *Tip: Read “Troubleshooting” for additional help working with dry active yeast.

Let the dough rest for 10 minutes with a wet paper towel over the top of the mixing bowl, it should increase in size up to about double at most. *Tip: Clean out mixing bowl prior to resting dough, and lightly coat the dough in olive oil to help keep from sticking. Prepare the sheet pan for the dough by lining with aluminum foil or parchment paper then set aside for later use.

After the dough has risen, knead/ roll dough into a rectangular flattened shape. Use a pizza cutter to easily cut the dough into even strips (roughly an inch in width). Twist the breadsticks to fit them to the shape of your sheet pan and lay them with as much space in between as you can fit. Add seasonings, toppings, cheese, etc. (Seasoning can be mixed into the dough and or sprinkled on top.) *Tip: If using aluminum foil, put olive oil on it to help the breadsticks from sticking to the sheet pan.

Let breadsticks rise for 10-15 minutes to increase fluffiness. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°F.

Bake 10-15 minutes until golden brown. After removing the breadsticks from the oven, add melted butter and any additional desired seasonings/toppings.

Enjoy!

Troubleshooting

When proofing dry active yeast, adding a teaspoon of sugar can be useful. Yeast is a living organism and will feed off the sugar. If yeast doesn’t get foamy at all, try again with new yeast- don’t add it to the dough.

Yeast may not get foamy if the water is too hot or too cold, given it is a living organism, it is possible to kill it. Generally, if the water is a bit warmer than room temperature it works best. I’ll often use 1 cup slightly cold water and a half cup of hot water to get a good temperature. Breadsticks may be too salty if you add salt as a seasoning on top of salted butter. Unsalted butter can be great in the kitchen, but not always necessary

If you’re hesitant about all whole wheat flour or new to it, you can use 3 cups whole wheat flour and 1 cup all-purpose flour to lighten the mixture.

If you want to get very fancy, you can add crushed cloves of garlic to the butter mixture with seasonings and lightly heat it on the stove. You can also braid the breadsticks just because it looks cool. (:

Happy baking!

This is a work of opinion. The views expressed do not represent those of Haskell Indian Nations University or the Indian Leader. The subjective, naïve, and bias viewpoint is from that of the author only. For entertainment purposes.

In late October, I was invited to participate in the “Discover Bentley” program in Waltham, Massachusetts. The program is a three day visit to Bentley University for purposes of learning, questioning, and experiencing the campus and atmosphere of the historic institution. The program is exclusive to minorities. I was very excited to receive the opportunity to possibly further my education at such a prestigious institution. Their work placement upon graduating rate is very high, as are the beginning salaries for Bentley graduates in corporations. I was impressed. I was soon to be depressed.

Earlier in September, the “Discover Bentley” team had come to my school and was presenting in my class! I was ready and excited to meet them and get their insight. They were extraordinary. I agreed to do an interview with them afterwards where I presented myself and spoke of my life and personal perspective. All was well. I received a call a week later from their staff asking me to revise my resume and write more about myself in the essay that is part of the admission process. I did cheerfully. Naturally, a couple of weeks later I was sent a letter of acceptance by Bentley, airline tickets, and hotel reservations. I felt on my way to sure success. I took exams early. I asked for days off of work (I clean up after the butchers at the local supermarket, part-time). It was time to explore my future and I hoped Bentley would be what they said they could be.

I have crippling anxiety at the airport. Flying in airplanes is a huge ordeal for me. I arranged for some special “prescription” help and was on my way. Luckily, I was traveling with one other person from Haskell Indian Nations University, a friend of mine nonetheless! We left Lawrence, Kansas at four in the morning. I went to bed early, my companion did not sleep at all. We were in the air by six and watched the sunrise from above the clouds. Everything was great. We landed in Boston. This is when things began to feel strange to me. The itinerary had said a limo service would be at the airport to take us to our hotel, The Marriott. After finding the driver, we waited another hour and a half for two more participants to land and join us. We were tired and hungry and worse, the vehicle awaiting was a plain town car, not a limo. This specific limo service they used actually owned no limousines in their fleet. I know what you are thinking, “stop being an a**hole J.C.” and you’re right. I admit fault by having expectations that a limousine service would be driving me to an Ivy League institution in an actual limousine. My bad. Nonetheless, this set the tone for my discovery into Bentley.

Upon arriving at our hotel, we were greeted by the Discover Bentley team, an eclectic group of female students who either were attending or had attended Bentley, much like student ambassadors at Haskell. We walked through the doors wearily with our luggage and lag. Our rooms were not yet ready. We were tired and hungry. The Bentley team had arranged an assortment of fun-size bags of potato chips and cookies. My companion asked if we could get something more substantial, as by this point we had traveled very far with little access to food. He was told we could walk around and look for a sandwich shop. One of the team had pity on us and said she would look into getting us some sandwiches. No sandwiches ever arrived. We did get access to our room first, as we were the first to arrive. Other colleagues were still traveling in, so my companion and I had about an hour to recoup from the journey. We were the lucky ones. Some students did not get to check into their rooms. They received no opportunity to rest, refresh, or eat a proper meal. Immediately after the last arrival, we were taken to the campus.

Running on a handful of Cheetos, we looked at the materials given to us by the team. It included a detailed itinerary, the first time any of us had seen what they had scheduled with our time. The rest of the day was scheduled until 10:30 pm with classes. They had to be joking? Had they no consideration for our disorientation, acclamation, and jet-lag? At least the fed us, finally. A fine meal of fajitas. We sat together in a room, all twentytwo participants. The administrators of the program were present. We introduced ourselves to each other and made small talk over chips and salsa. A former Haskell student was present. She sat with us and we asked her about her experience at Bentley. She gave the scoop that it was tough, but worth it. She is a real person and I was happy to see her. Dinner was too short. Before long, we were put into groups and escorted to actual Bentley classes in session. These classes were two and a half hours each. We were scheduled to attend two of them.

It was daunting. My companion was falling asleep in classes. I could not focus. While switching classes, I could not find our guide and got lost. I wandered through the buildings and encountered other participants of the program equally as confused. Where were the team? Why was I wandering through this strange place? At this point I had been awake for nineteen hours and was exhausted, irritated, and alone. I waited for the time that our shuttle would arrive to take us back to our hotel so I could take a shower. The Bentley team said they had pizza waiting for us at the hotel. Everyone was excited to eat and recharge. The Bentley team had ordered three large pizzas for twenty-two adults. I did not eat that night. The level of incompetence was staggering. Such simple tasks were not being completed. Most of all, I felt my wellbeing was not being taken into account. I began to question Bentley University and the situation I found myself in. If these people were the product of Bentley and they were making such errors in management, prioritization, and accommodations then what did that say about the institution? This program was my first impression and they were losing me. The next day was worse.

I made a career ending mistake. I slept in by accident. My digital clock had not adjusted to the time zones automatically. I had overlooked that detail. Both my companion and I were an hour late! The team graciously sent us a car to meet up with the rest of the group, who by this time had finished their breakfast and were getting ready for informational meetings. The informational meetings pertained of all of the same information, handouts, and scripts that I had already heard when their emissaries came to my class at Haskell. When my companion and I arrived, we were confronted by one of the Bentley team who berated us for being late. We were told that our dedication had been diminished and that we should apologize to the entire group. This is where I drew the line. Accidents happen and in an actual professional setting, yes, this would be frowned upon, but no moral lesson or public apology is necessary. I had rearranged my life to attend this event. Did she not take that into account? I did not apologize to anyone. I was their guest and they had forgotten that. My excitement fled at that moment. My dream of what I thought Bentley University was and its opportunity was over. The other Bentley team did not greet or acknowledge us the whole morning. We were outcasts. I felt very uncomfortable being there. The only saving grace for the group was their supervisor, a kind woman who noticed my unease and offered a car back to the hotel. She was my angel that day. She was the only person that I felt saw me as a person and not only a prospect. That night the group was slated to be set loose on Harvard Square in Cambridge. I did not attend. I spent the night in my hotel room. Asleep and content.

The next day I did not exist. I was not accounted for. One of the Bentley team even announced my absence to the group to which I corrected her. I was clearly there, sort of. We had two errands left on our agenda and then we would be off to the airport that afterlunch. The first was a tour of the campus. I found it totally backwards that we were finally receiving a proper tour of the campus in our final hours. I had already spent precious time wandering around the buildings in a fatigue-induced delusion. This information would have been useful earlier on. We did not get to see the whole campus, just the buildings that concerned us and our degrees. My favorite part of the tour was when we went to the library and it was locked. The level of incompetence no longer surprised me. I was agitated and done with this trip. It was not what I expected at all. The last event on our agenda was an open house. Representatives from a dozen organizations had tables under a white tent top.

I walked past every table. Nobody spoke to me and I spoke to no one. I did ask for some free “swag” at the registration table. A woman looked at me unkindly and told me that the “swag” was not for the Discover Bentley group. I expected nothing less. A last meal was to be served with all attendees. Many people in my group were confused and lost as to where the brunch would be served. The Bentley team had reverted to shouting orders at us. They led us down wrong hallways and were constantly miscommunicating with each other. I had no guidance or instruction as to where to sit. My anxiety kicked in and I opted to sit in the hallway, to which a passing Bentley team member snarled that I should be inside the dining hall. I felt like a child.

Finally, the time came to leave. I could not get on the shuttles fast enough. The girl who had berated me for being late kept trying to say goodbye, as if we were friends, as if we had made some connection that required a heart-felt adieu. I bid her farewell with the nod of my head. I had not had a good time. I had not seen anything impressive. I felt I had wasted my time. I am a busy man and to clear my schedule takes much effort. I wish them well, but I know my destiny is not at Bentley. I learned a lot about what I do not want. I do not want to be a faceless cog in a capitalist machine. I do not want to have to wear a plastic smile as part of my work uniform. I do not want to make other people rich. I do not particularly want to live on the East Coast. The only thing I discovered from the “Discover Bentley” program was that I would rather go to law school.

I am grateful that they took the time and spent the money to get me out there, I truly am. They kept telling us that they were looking for the best of the best, which I am. Someone should have told them that to get the best of the best, you must be the best of the best. I hope this does not dissuade anyone from looking into Bentley University for their own academic route. I hope I have not offended any alumni or current students. This is a simple retelling of my experience.

These tales are taken from personal accounts, witness testimony, and convincing retellings. Any likeness is coincidental. For entertainment purposes only. Reader discretion is advised

Deer Woman of Haskell

The Deer Woman is a woodland cryptid from the eastern Woodlands and Central Plains tribes. I have always heard tales of this creature being evil. Much like the Celtic mermaids, Deer Woman seeks to lure unsuspecting men to their death. It is said she is attractive and alluring, but if you look closer you will see horns atop its head and hooves where feet should be. Hormonal men are lured away from other people by the sight of the lovely creature. They assume she is a human female getting their attention for sex and companionship. When the man has followed Deer Woman far enough she will turn on him, devouring his flesh to appease her monstrous appetite. There are two tales of a Deer Woman being present on the Haskell grounds.

The first tale is that of a security guard patrolling the pow-wow grounds in the dead of winter. He noticed a female wrapped in a blanket walking in the dark and snow near the tree line by the Indian Health Services buildings. He pulled his vehicle up so his lights were shining on the figure, who had her back turned to the guard. The officer began to walk out into the snow after her. He was about to holler something at her when he stopped and went cold. The tracks leading to the woman were footprints, they were hooved prints. The guard was familiar with the Deer Woman legends and slowly backed up towards his vehicle. He sped off feeling lucky that he had seen the prints in the snow before he went any further.

The second story is said to place in the 1960’s or 70’s at the Haskell Memorial Stadium during a football game. It is said the stadium was packed on an autumn night. Many fans were out cheering for the Haskell Braves. One of the attendees was not human. The crowd noticed that one among them was very different. Again, described as wearing an Indian blanket over most of her body. She took to her Cervidae legs and ran up the steps to the top of the stadium. Onlookers witnessed her drop from the top of the cement seats, around80 feet, to the ground where the Osceola-Keokuk parking lot is now. She then ran off into the night. Was she there to lure young indigenous men into the night? Was she only looking for the comfort of people in a crowd? The answers are uncertain.

For most Deer Woman is an unwelcome creature. I am a single, handsome, and strong male. I am her prey of choice. I will be extra cautious following any beautiful maiden into the night. I advise my brothers and sisters to do the same.

If you or someone you know has had a paranormal, supernatural, or preternatural experience at Haskell Indian Nations University and would like to share your story please contact Joe Singh at joseph.singh@ haskell.edu

“Native American Heritage Month allows us to honor our indigenous populations and for us specifically, the Native students we support,” says Cheryl Crazy Bull, president and CEO of the American Indian College Fund. “While we are pleased that earlier this fall, President Trump still proclaimed November as Native American Heritage Month, we worry that this latest decree impacts the American understanding of the repercussions this country’s founding had on Native people.”

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“Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and minority serving institutions (MSIs) are an essential component of America’s higher education and workforce development system,” Tester and his colleagues wrote.

The post Tester Leads Colleagues in Push to Renew Funding for Montana’s Tribal Colleges and Universities appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.

This year, the haunted house raised more than $9,700 for scholarships at United Tribes Technical College. Higher than the average of about $5,000.

The post Horror on Harmon Rasies $9,700 for UTTC Scholarships appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.

The School of Dine Studies and Education (SDSE) recently hosted a Teacher Licensure Boot Camp. The event was sponsored by the Navajo Nation Teacher Education Consortium (NNTEC).

The post Diné College Holds Teacher Boot Camp appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.

Based on the survey report, “Alumni of Tribal Colleges and Universities Better Their Communities,” Native American students who attend TCUs benefit significantly more from their college experience compared to peers who attend non-TCUs.

The post Tribal Colleges and Universities Provide Support, Affordable Degrees to Native Students appeared first on Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education.