School of Business

History of Haskell’s Business Department

Faculty in the School of Business have long recognized the importance of strong managerial practices and business infrastructures to support the full exercise of tribal sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and self-determination in Native communities. Tribal governments, economic development and business initiatives today must be positioned to serve the needs of tribes during rapidly changing and often turbulent economic times.

In the Fall of 1998, the School of Business was established to provide a four-year business degree to educate and graduate Native students to meet the needs of business leaders in tribal communities.

The initial proposal outlined the purpose of the School of Business.

1. Empower tribal members with the necessary tools to realize economic self-sufficiency and self-determination both on and off the reservation in order to achieve true sovereignty.
2. Teach future entrepreneurs and business students to use the entrepreneurial perspective in order to make creative and innovative decisions.
3. Provide students with a base of knowledge and practical skills necessary to contribute to the growth and development of Native communities and individuals.
4. Teach effective business management practices in order to enhance community and individual success.
5. Prepare students for the challenges of a multicultural world.
6. Preserve tribal interests and sovereignty.