Wetlands Preservation Organization and Haskell Indian Nations University

[Mabus]

Haskell Indian Nations University is located in Lawrence, Kansas. It is one of the last remnants of the old "Indian Manual School" era of the 1880's. Hundreds of tribes are currently represented at Haskell.

For the past twenty years many in our community have been fighting a propsed trafficway that will border HINU on the south and destroy parts of the Haskell/Baker Wetland complex. About fifteen years ago the students at Haskell were finally allowed to have their voices heard about the placement of this trafficway and its implications on HINU. While it has been primarily a local issue it has had national implications for all of Indian Country. For example, as a result of our lawsuits, NEPA guidelines for the Federal Highway Administration has changed to allow HINU students and the university itself (as well as other Indian Country schools) to have input into the NEPA/EA/EIS process.

Please take the time to check out http://savethewetlands.org/


Ghosts of past called on to help preserve Haskell Wetlands History of 'Haskell Babies,' sanctuary and tradition shared
Submitted by Mike on Mon, 01/05/2004 - 10:18am.
by: Mary Pierpoint Indian Country Today

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- It is a story for the most part forgotten in the battle for or against a proposed highway bypass through the southern end of the Haskell Indian Nations University campus.

As lawsuits, discussions and arguments are brought forward by the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Wetlands Preservation Organization, perhaps the most telling argument against the road has been lost until now. It is the history of a people and wetlands that stood defiant against change.

It is a determination to preserve the legacy left to the school by the "Haskell Babies." Many current employees said they have seen the small, ghostly specters that live on the Haskell grounds. They said they wonder if these are spirits of the children believed to have been buried on the farm which has reverted to its wetlands origins.

The fight over the small parcel known as the Haskell Wetlands has gone on for more than a decade, with some calling it sacred ground because of a medicine wheel in the wetlands area. Others point to missing children from the dark days when Haskell was a government-run boarding school. They say the children were buried there and therefore the land must remain as it is.

Those who want to see the highway built have said the need for better traffic flow outweighs the medicine wheel they believe was built as a stunt to stop the road. Many said they look at the possibility of graves in the wetlands as myth.

But to many at Haskell, the graves in the wetlands aren't a myth. They are as real as the small spirits reported to walk the campus -- young children dressed in turn of the century clothing, following trails to buildings which no longer exist.

For believers, the Haskell Babies are seen as a part of the heritage of Haskell and worth fighting for.

Although students and staff members at the university are more than willing to talk about the Haskell Babies, none wants to be named.
» read more at http://www.savethewetlands.org/?q=node/view/19

[Broken_Hero]

1. Yeah, the wetlands issue

has been going on for a long time. In short, KDOT wants to build a trafficway through the wetlands, to KC and Olathe and all the surronding areas...the issue has been an ongoing fight. There is a small group of influential people in Lawrence who want this trafficway, and will not look at any other alternative route, which there are alternative routes, and better routes, but they still cling to putting the traffic way through the wetlands...much like how GWB sticks to his war in iraq garbage.

Haskell has been fighting over this for a long time, and I my honest opinion the fight will be won out by Haskell, and these interest groups in Lawrence will have to admit, it was a mistake to try putting a trafficway though the wetlands.....

[turtlelowe]

2. Never stop the fight . . .

To all my fellow Haskell Alumni, we need to make sure that we continue to support the students who keep up this fight. Although we may not be able to stand beside them, we can stand behind them and let them know that we are proud of their fight to keep such a vital part of the world protected.