E&W Blog

Today, the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a joint hearing with Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on how the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) can be improved to better educate Native American students. 


Subcommittee Chairman Burgess Owens (R-UT) opened the hearing by outlining the recurring problems in the BIE system. “Almost one year ago in another joint hearing by these subcommittees, we heard about the dysfunction at BIE–mismanagement, fraud, nepotism, a failure to investigate complaints, a failure to address sexual harassment, and a longtime failure to exercise proper oversight of Haskell Indian Nations University,” he said. 


Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) brought up more recent examples of shortcomings. “Within the last few weeks, we learned of the Inspector General’s report about the sexual harassment of students on Haskell’s women’s basketball team, the failure of a supervisor to report the harassment, and potential violations of a Kansas state law involving athletic trainers,” he said.

The BIE's two postsecondary institutions, Haskell Indian Nations University (Haskell) and the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (Southwestern), have long suffered from an absence of any meaningful oversight and accountability, including rampant criminal and civil wrongdoing, low graduation rates (Haskell - 43 percent; Southwestern - 9 percent) and deteriorating facilities.

Despite calls for justice from Haskell and Southwestern students, the Biden-Harris administration’s Department of the Interior failed to respond to those pleas. 


Today’s witness acknowledged improvements need to be made quickly. “While preparing students for postsecondary success is critical, we must do more to support those students once they enter college, particularly in the institutions that BIE directly operates and funds. As an alumnus of Haskell, I know firsthand that improvements are needed locally. I also know firsthand the value that the Haskell experience provided me in helping build me into the leader I am today,” said Mr. Scott Davis, Senior Advisor to the Secretary, Exercising the Delegated Authority of the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior.


In an exchange with Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Mr. Davis highlighted the importance of preserving universities like Haskell. “It’s a home away from home where you feel safe and you’re around your Native American relatives so that’s a tradition that for us is very, very important culturally,” he explained.

Rep. James Moylan (R-GU) asked what can be done to address the many failures at BIE. “It all starts with leadership and governance,” said Mr. Davis. “Making sure we are accountable to our students and the families that want to . . . [go] there and get a good education. That is our commitment.” 


Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) echoed the theme of the day, saying, “Not only are we spending a lot of money, but we’re not giving these kids what they need to be successful in life.” That is why the committees are continuing their investigation into misconduct at these institutions.

Following the hearing, Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Paul Gosar (R-AZ)said, “Numerous wrongdoings at Haskell and other tribal schools have gone on far too long and tribal students deserve better. Rather than ignoring these troubling issues, more can and should be done to empower these institutions, with the input of tribes, to be the best versions of themselves."

Bottom line: Republicans are committed to working with the Trump administration to ensure that Native American students receive a high-quality education and can learn in a safe environment.