Post updated at 9:18 a.m. Saturday, June 21:
An explosive social media post Friday afternoon announced that Lawrence’s Indigenous Community Center has been inactive for about a year and a half because of a former leader’s control and actions.
The post made to the ICC’s Facebook page said the center and the board disbanded in late 2023 after the “former president” locked “the remaining female board members” out of social media accounts. No one, including the author, was named in the post.
A few hours later, the center’s Facebook page appeared to be deleted entirely.
Robert Hicks Jr., who was the board chair, did not respond to an email asking him about the claims made in the Facebook post Friday by the time of publication.
He did send an email response that he also posted on Facebook just before 1:45 a.m. Saturday, writing that he “categorically” denies “any wrongdoing or misconduct. I have always acted in good faith and with a deep sense of responsibility to our community.”
The organization that would become the Indigenous Community Center in state documents was initially launched as Hella Phresh LLC in 2018 through LegalZoom.com.
Its name was changed to Indigenous Community Center LLC in January 2022 before the most recent switch — Hicks legally changed the name to Nanasoohannena Farm LLC in December 2023. Hicks’ was the only name included on any of the LLCs’ paperwork.
When board members pressed for financial information and other documentation, the “former president” warned them of legal action, the post alleged.
Claims in the post have been corroborated by information multiple sources have shared with Times reporters over recent years.
“We sincerely apologize for our delay in sharing this tragedy as we have been very afraid of being sued for any attempts to notify the public and have been afraid to seek help with the situation,” the post said.
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Additionally, the post alleges community members were told ICC provided a “safe room or safehouse of sorts” similar to what a domestic violence shelter would provide, but that there is no such thing. The post said the area was actually a room in the “former president’s home” and that the board was previously unaware.
In his response, Hicks wrote that “my personal residence was never used or designated as a public community space during my involvement with the ICC.”
The Facebook post on Friday alleged the LLC’s bank account, or accounts, were closed and funds were withdrawn abruptly by the “former president.” A former board member, who said they did not write the ICC’s Facebook post Friday, said Hicks did return that money to the organization, “but after several weeks stalling.” Hicks said he did return the remaining balance to a board member.
Regarding his title, Hicks wrote that “we operated as a collaborative board and did not use formal titles such as ‘president.'” And regarding the organization’s social media accounts, Hicks wrote, “There was a short period during which access to social media accounts was disrupted due to administrative and technical issues. However, I resolved those issues and ensured that full access was returned to the board. There was never a deliberate effort to withhold control.”
An MMIWG2ST (Missing and Murdered Women, Girls, Two-Spirit and Transgender people) Lawrence organization was formerly associated with the ICC, but the post said that was no longer the case and that the “former president” runs it in addition to the ICC garden. Hicks led both projects when they were launched.
It’s unclear how active MMIWG2ST is today. The group hosted several public-facing events through 2023, including an awareness walk and proclamation in downtown Lawrence.
In spring 2024, when the Times was looking to cover the organization, Hicks said they would only do interviews via email because of safety concerns.
Answers to interview questions at that time came from the group’s email address and said the board contributed to the responses. Roles the sender identified included an awareness team, case workers and a communications team, but no individuals’ names.
When the Times asked clarifying questions, including who we could attribute answers to, the sender asked we no longer publish an article because the questions were too “individual targeting.” They said the organization was at limited capacity with its caseload and received regular hate mail and threats for its efforts but declined to elaborate on the messages they said they were receiving.
They also said to “Please let us know what else you intend to say in your article.” The Times does not allow sources to review articles prior to publication, and we chose to continue our investigation before publishing an article.
In his statement, Hicks wrote that “I remain committed to supporting MMIWG2ST families, but I am no longer operating the chapter under the ICC structure. Any current activity under that name is independent of me unless explicitly stated. I also now only operate as an Individual case worker with the OK-TX-KS MMIP Coalition, not affiliated with the MMIWG2ST Lawrence Chapter.”
The ICC brought representation of the local Indigenous population, offering support to Indigenous artists and hosting cultural and educational events, many of which this publication covered. When an abortion ban question was on Kansas ballots during the 2022 election, the ICC held related panels discussing America’s egregious colonization.
Hicks was recently part of a “Hands Off Haskell” protest in South Park. He had been teaching media communications but was one of several Haskell Indian Nations University faculty members who were terminated as part of baseless federal cuts in February.
It was unclear as of publication time whether he was also one of the faculty members who was also reinstated in the months that followed. His statement did not address that.
Hicks wrote in his statement, “I remain committed to uplifting Indigenous voices, supporting MMIP families, and creating spaces for healing, justice, and love. I invite anyone seeking the truth to speak with me directly, and I welcome open, respectful dialogue.”
He also wrote that the transition of ICC to Nanasoohannena Farm LLC “is part of a continued effort to support Indigenous food sovereignty, cultural education, and healing. ‘Nanasoohannena’ means ‘Respect for All’ in Paiute, and that principle continues to guide everything I do.”
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
