The Fighting Indians: A Story of Resilience and Resistance

This is the story of a team, a coach, and a university standing firm in the face of adversity. It began on Valentine’s Day, a day usually associated with love and affection, but for Adam Strom, it marked a devastating turning point. Strom, the head coach of the women’s basketball team at Haskell Indian Nations University, was abruptly fired. His termination was not an isolated incident but part of a larger wave of layoffs impacting nearly 40 employees at the federally run university in Lawrence, Kansas, and countless other Native Americans working as federal employees across the nation.

The driving force behind this mass dismissal was the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a seemingly fictional entity led by the real-world entrepreneur Elon Musk and empowered by former President Donald Trump. While it’s unlikely that either man was personally aware of the Haskell women’s basketball team, their coach, or the ripple effect their policies would create, the consequences were deeply felt.

Despite losing his salary, a substantial $80,000 a year, Strom’s commitment to his team and his community was unwavering. He immediately offered to coach the Fighting Indians for free, driven by a sense of duty and a belief in something larger than just basketball. "We’re not just playing for the name across our chest or on our back," Strom emphasized, "We’re playing for our ethnic background. … We’re playing for Indian Country.”

Haskell Indian Nations University, competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), is more than just a school; it’s a symbol of Native American identity and resilience. The university’s history is etched in both triumph and hardship. Founded in 1884 as a boarding school, it carries the weight of a past marked by assimilation policies and cultural suppression. A poignant reminder of this history is the on-campus cemetery, containing 103 marked graves, the last burial dating back to 1913.

The basketball team, comprised entirely of tribal-affiliated student-athletes, embodies this spirit of resilience. These young women are acutely aware of the “generational trauma, historical trauma, things that Native Americans endure today and have for the last 400 years.” Their struggles extend beyond the basketball court. Native American schools are chronically underfunded, and the recent layoffs, which slashed 25% of the school’s staff, amplified these existing inequalities.

The team’s season began with a challenging 2-10 record, testing the bond between the players and their coach. However, during the break between semesters, a crucial decision was made. The players collectively agreed to remain on campus for three weeks, dedicating themselves to individual workouts and extra practices. This commitment marked a turning point.

Fueled by renewed determination and a shared sense of purpose, the Fighting Indians embarked on a remarkable run, winning 11 of their next 15 games. They defied expectations, culminating in a championship game appearance in the Continental Athletic Conference tournament.

On March 2nd, the Fighting Indians faced North Mexico College for the conference title. The game was a testament to their grit and unwavering spirit. Despite falling behind, they fought back, securing a hard-fought 57-52 victory. This triumph not only clinched the conference title but also secured their berth in the NAIA tournament, a moment of pure jubilation for the unemployed coach and his players as they cut down the nets.

In the wake of Strom’s firing and the broader layoffs, a powerful wave of resistance emerged. A week after the championship victory, a coalition of tribal nations and Native American students filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the legality of the dismissals that had cost Strom and other Native Americans their jobs. The Native American Rights Fund took the lead, with staff attorney Jacqueline De Leon recognizing the profound symbolism of the Fighting Indians and their coach. "I’ve been really inspired by the basketball team as a symbol for the university of resistance and of resilience," she stated. "And I think that what it shows is that Native people will rise when faced in really difficult circumstances."

On February 28th, approximately 40 Haskell students gathered at the state capitol in Topeka to voice their protest. Haskell’s athletes penned a letter to President Trump, imploring him to reinstate the fired employees, including instructors, cafeteria workers, and maintenance staff. Mahpiya Irving, a senior guard on the women’s basketball team, expressed her concerns about the impact on her education. "At first they replaced them with other faculty and we had to start over pretty much," she explained. "I’m not graduating until the fall, but I was still nervous."

Despite the surrounding turmoil and the anxieties it created, Strom remained steadfast in his focus on preparing the team for the six-team conference tournament. As the No. 2 seed, Haskell received a bye into the semifinals, where they convincingly defeated Washington Adventist 88-61. This victory set the stage for the championship showdown against New Mexico College.

Beyond the wins and losses, Strom incorporated elements of Native American culture into his coaching. During each water break at Haskell’s practices, he would ask one of his players to say “water” in their native language. For Lish Spoonhunter, from the Arapaho tribe, it’s "nec." For Star Her Many Horses, from the Lakota tribe, it’s "mni." For Lilly Smith, from the Comanche tribe, it’s "paa." And for Strom himself, from the Yakama Nation, it’s "chúush." This simple act served as a powerful reminder of their heritage and a way to connect basketball with Native American history.

The legacy of Haskell is also intertwined with the achievements of Native American athletes. Jim Thorpe and Billy Mills, both Olympic medalists and iconic figures, attended Haskell, adding to the university’s rich sporting tradition.

The NAIA tournament presented a new challenge for the Fighting Indians. They faced the daunting task of playing the defending national champions, Dordt of Sioux Center, Iowa.

The Fighting Indians traveled to Iowa on a charter bus, carrying with them the hopes and dreams of their community. They started the game strong, surprising the crowd by opening a 21-16 lead and finishing the first quarter ahead, 23-21. However, Dordt’s size and strength eventually proved too much for the Fighting Indians, who succumbed to a 95-80 defeat.

Despite the loss, the season was a resounding success. The team had overcome adversity, demonstrated unwavering resilience, and become a symbol of hope for their community. "Regardless of the outcome," Strom declared, "we were true winners."

Even Strom’s personal story took an unexpected turn. On March 10th, as he prepared for the game against Dordt, he received news that he was one of 15 employees at Haskell who had been rehired. He declined to comment extensively, acknowledging the sensitivity of the issue.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIE) offered a statement, emphasizing that Haskell Indian Nations University remained focused on providing quality education and supporting its students, adding that they do not comment on personnel matters. However, De Leon, the attorney at the Native American Rights Fund, cautioned that there were no guarantees the rehired employees would retain their positions beyond the spring semester.

The story of Adam Strom and the Fighting Indians transcends basketball. It’s a testament to the power of community, the importance of heritage, and the unwavering spirit of resistance in the face of injustice. It showcases the ability of Native American people to rise above adversity and inspire others with their resilience, determination, and commitment to their culture and identity. The Fighting Indians may have lost the game, but they won the hearts of many and left an indelible mark on the landscape of college sports and Native American activism.