Oklahoma's oldest Native American school, Bacone College, is threatened by debts and disrepair
Associated Press
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Interim President Dr. Nicky Kay Michael poses for a portrait at Bacone College, on Jan. 8 2024, in Muskogee, Okla. Founded in 1880 as a Baptist missionary college focused on assimilation, Bacone College transformed into an Indigenous-led institution that provided an intertribal community, as well as a degree. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)The Memorial Chapel sits empty at Bacone College, on Jan. 8 2024, in Muskogee, Okla. Founded in 1880 as a Baptist missionary college focused on assimilation, Bacone College transformed into an Indigenous-led institution that provided an intertribal community, as well as a degree. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)A mural sits on display in a room that was being renovated before the schools closure at Bacone College, on Jan. 8 2024, in Muskogee, Okla. Founded in 1880 as a Baptist missionary college focused on assimilation, Bacone College transformed into an Indigenous-led institution that provided an intertribal community, as well as a degree. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)A gas cutoff notice hangs on the door of a building at Bacone College, on Jan. 8 2024, in Muskogee, Okla. Founded in 1880 as a Baptist missionary college focused on assimilation, Bacone College transformed into an Indigenous-led institution that provided an intertribal community, as well as a degree. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)An old collage sits in a box in the basement at Bacone College, on Jan. 8 2024, in Muskogee, Okla. Founded in 1880 as a Baptist missionary college focused on assimilation, Bacone College transformed into an Indigenous-led institution that provided an intertribal community, as well as a degree. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)An old sign for the school sits in a storage shed at Bacone College, on Jan. 8 2024, in Muskogee, Okla. Founded in 1880 as a Baptist missionary college focused on assimilation, Bacone College transformed into an Indigenous-led institution that provided an intertribal community, as well as a degree. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)A once bustling campus sit empty at Bacone College, on Jan. 8 2024, in Muskogee, Okla. Founded in 1880 as a Baptist missionary college focused on assimilation, Bacone College transformed into an Indigenous-led institution that provided an intertribal community, as well as a degree. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)Interim President Dr. Nicky Kay Michael poses for a portrait at Bacone College, on Jan. 8 2024, in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Founded in 1880 as a Baptist missionary college focused on assimilation, Bacone College transformed into an Indigenous-led institution that provided an intertribal community, as well as a degree. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)A drawing is displayed on a chalkboard in an abandoned classroom at Bacone College, on Jan. 8 2024, in Muskogee, Okla. Founded in 1880 as a Baptist missionary college focused on assimilation, Bacone College transformed into an Indigenous-led institution that provided an intertribal community, as well as a degree. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)An old sign for the school sits in a storage shed at Bacone College, on Jan. 8 2024, in Muskogee, Okla. Founded in 1880 as a Baptist missionary college focused on assimilation, Bacone College transformed into an Indigenous-led institution that provided an intertribal community, as well as a degree. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)Dr. Leslie Hannah uncovers a loom in the Ataloa Lodge Museum at Bacone College, on Jan. 8 2024, in Muskogee, Okla. Founded in 1880 as a Baptist missionary college focused on assimilation, Bacone College transformed into an Indigenous-led institution that provided an intertribal community, as well as a degree. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)A statue of a Chickasaw warrior sits on display at Bacone College, on Jan. 8 2024, in Muskogee, Okla. Founded in 1880 as a Baptist missionary college focused on assimilation, Bacone College transformed into an Indigenous-led institution that provided an intertribal community, as well as a degree. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)A once bustling campus sit empty at Bacone College, on Jan. 8 2024, in Muskogee, Okla. Founded in 1880 as a Baptist missionary college focused on assimilation, Bacone College transformed into an Indigenous-led institution that provided an intertribal community, as well as a degree. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)A poster hangs in the darkened library at Bacone College, on Jan. 8 2024, in Muskogee, Okla. Founded in 1880 as a Baptist missionary college focused on assimilation, Bacone College transformed into an Indigenous-led institution that provided an intertribal community, as well as a degree. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)An old photo of the campus is displayed in the administration offices at Bacone College, on Jan. 8 2024, in Muskogee, Okla. Founded in 1880 as a Baptist missionary college focused on assimilation, Bacone College transformed into an Indigenous-led institution that provided an intertribal community, as well as a degree. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)
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Interim President Dr. Nicky Kay Michael poses for a portrait at Bacone College, on Jan. 8 2024, in Muskogee, Okla. Founded in 1880 as a Baptist missionary college focused on assimilation, Bacone College transformed into an Indigenous-led institution that provided an intertribal community, as well as a degree. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)