In 1884, the Indian Industrial Training School, as it was then called, opened in Lawrence under control of the federal government. Over time, the same school, under the same government, has adapted and evolved into an institution of higher education that encourages and celebrates the cultures it was established to eradicate.

Today, the school we now know as Haskell Indian Nations University gives students the tools to help build and connect to their cultures. Thanks to a partnership between the Watkins and the Haskell Cultural Center, this exhibit uses images and artifacts from the Center to tell stories of Native American cultures and Haskell student life.

Thank you to our exhibit partners