[5] The college was founded to serve members of federally recognized Native American tribes in the United States.

[13] Faculty and students built the Haskell Medicine Wheel Earthwork in 1992, and the Haskell-Baker Wetlands are important for migrating birds.

[14] The university hosts cultural and academic events that attract visitors (both Native American and non-Native) from across the country and abroad.

[6] Haskell was founded during an era following the Indian Wars when the federal government believed that Native Americans needed to assimilate into the majority culture in order to survive.

Native American children were recruited from a variety of tribes to attend for their education, and were expected to abandon their tribal traditions while there.

[18] The Carlisle Indian Industrial School, founded in 1879 in Pennsylvania, became the model for federal immersion programs in education.

Organized under the semi-military system of the Carlisle Indian School, students wore uniforms to enforce conformity and end tribal identification.

His discharge of many employees (including the principal teacher) brought criticism from the president of the National Education Association.

Students reacted to his harsh treatment by sending four protesting petitions to the BIA in Washington, DC.

They were encouraged by the civil rights movement of African Americans to press for fulfillment of treaty conditions.

At Haskell, students and activists wanted to reconfigure the school's pedagogical approach to better serve Indian country and Alaska Native communities.

[24] Two years later, with more curriculum development, the school in 1967 was renamed as Haskell Indian Junior College, able to award associate degrees and certificates in special skills programs.

[26] In 1993, the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Ada Deer, approved that development, which had been built on expansion of the curricula and programs.

[20] Today, Haskell's alumni work in numerous areas to serve Indian country and Alaska Native communities.

In addition to its historic architecture, Haskell is recognized for its collection of public sculptures, murals, photographs, and paintings.

The Haskell-Baker Wetlands span approximately 640 acres (260 ha) on the south side of the Haskell campus.

[35] It is a residential hall for freshman (first year) men and male students transferring from other colleges and universities.

[38] Built in 1915 as a gymnasium, Tecumseh Hall was named after the Shawnee chief who led an effort to repulse the European-American settlers from Indian territory west of the Appalachian Mountains.

[36] The Haskell Cultural Center and Museum provides exhibits of interest about the school's history, beginning with its opening in 1884.

Tommaney Library provides a range of academic research resources in print, online and digital form.

It was designed by Haskell professors, students, crop artist Stan Herd, and tribal elders, and dedicated in 1992 as a response to the 500th commemoration of the "Columbian Legacy".

According to the Haskell Catalog, the medicine wheel earthwork symbolizes the scope and richness of indigenous cultures, from the beginning of humankind to the present.

The circle marks the astrological locations of the Summer and Winter solstice and represent the death, rebirth, balance and healing in Mother Earth.

After earning an associate degree, many students transfer to the University of Kansas, other colleges, or join the workforce.

The university received a #13 ranking on the 2010 "Top 50 Dropout Factory" list from Washington Monthly in their College Guide, with a graduation rate of 9%.

[49] This program provides a broad-based background to prepare students for graduate school or a career in environmental or biological fields.

Courses offered include Biology, Ecology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Natural Resources, and Environmental Sciences.