House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) have initiated an investigation into alleged misconduct at Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). In a letter addressed to Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Director Tony Dearman, they expressed concerns about how these allegations were handled.

"As you are aware, allegations of misconduct at HINU were reported to officials at HINU, BIE, and DOI through numerous complaints, emails, and letters filed or sent by HINU students and current or former HINU employees. The Committees are concerned both by BIE’s failure to respond and quickly address students’ concerns, especially those involving reports of sexual assault, as well as by claims that BIE omitted information from the very reports intended to address these concerns," wrote Westerman and Foxx.

After years of alleged dysfunction, a group of students and former faculty came forward with reports of theft, fraud, and sexual assault at HINU. A lengthy investigation by BIE resulted in a report detailing serious assertions and findings. However, this report was not disclosed to the public or contributors until legally compelled to do so; even then, only a heavily redacted version was released.

Despite repeated appeals by HINU students to DOI Secretary Deb Haaland and BIE officials for justice, no action has been taken to address these allegations or protect the student body and faculty from further misconduct.

Read the full letter here.