Important Announcements from the Labriola Center
Grand Opening Open House Wednesday, April 3
The Labriola Center would like to highlight the Grand Opening of our new space with an Open House and celebration!!!
Our newly renovated space has been in the works for the past few years and we are happy to share this space of Indigenous of research and community making with ASU staff, faculty, and students. The Grand Opening Open House is scheduled for Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from 3:00-6:00 pm and we will have Indigenous snacks available during that time along with music provided by an Indigenous DJ. Following the Open House, from 6:00-8:00 pm, we will have a celebration that includes a light dinner with a live performance from a surprise Indigenous band. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for the announcement of the Indigenous band! We look forward to seeing you there.
Prayer Run
In light of our new space, on Saturday, March 30 starting at 5:45am the Labriola Center is leading a Prayer Relay Run to bless the newly renovated Labriola Center space and the other Indigenous support spaces within the Hayden Library on the ASU Tempe Campus. The run is open to the Indigenous students, faculty, and staff at ASU. As an Indigenous staffed library, we believe running is medicine and is intrinsically connected to many of our Indigenous cultures and traditions.
The total mileage of the Prayer Relay Run is 32 miles, and begins at Red Mountain to “A” Mountain and ends at Moahdak Do’ag (South Mountain). As a relay, participants will run a distance that is comfortable for themselves and at any pace they’d like.
Keep a lookout for further announcements on the pathway of the Prayer Run. We have strategically placed the path near stopping points that have ample parking so friends, family, and community members can support our runners via hydration stations and fuel encouragement to continue running.
Labriola Weekly Run Series, Saturdays February 24 - March 23
Senior Program Coordinator Eric Hardy (Diné) has been leading a Labriola Weekly Running Series in preparation for the Prayer Run. This upcoming Saturday, March 16th and Saturday March 23rd, the Labriola Center will be meeting at the parking lot near the IDEA Tempe Campus and Tempe Center for the Arts near Tempe Town Lake. For more information follow our Instagram page.
Highlights from the Labriola Center
For the month of January and February, the Labriola Center hosted jazz musician Delbert Anderson with ASU Kerr, a Ribbon Skirt Workshop with Miss Indigenous ASU and American Indian Student Support Services, and the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, Bryan Newland.
Indigenous Jazz with Delbert Anderson and ASU Kerr
Delbert Anderson (Diné) is a musician and trumpeter, who performed at the Labriola Center on Friday, February 2nd. Anderson was hosted by ASU Kerr, a historic building located in the northern part of Scottsdale, Arizona. ASU Kerr is an art and music center where both Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists have performed "Jazz, global music, indie folk, classical, soul, rock, storytelling, theater, and more." Delbert Anderson is Diné jazz trumpet artist, composer, educator and culture bearer, who has "musical projects [that] keep Indigenous knowledge and wisdom at the forefront" (delbertanderson.com). At the performance and talk, Anderson told the audience how his hope and inspiration for his music is that it peaks the interest of other Indigenous peoples, so that they may learn more about their cultural heritage. Anderson said he has worked with other tribes in creating songs with a contemporary twist. He also mentioned the importance in only using songs that were sung at social dances, not traditional or ceremonial songs, because those songs are designated for certain members of the tribe.
-Written by Yitazba Largo-Anderson (Diné)
Ribbon Skirt Workshop with Miss Indigenous ASU
On February 12 & 14, the Labriola Center hosted a Ribbon Skirt Workshop with Miss Indigenous ASU with the help of local seamstresses Kiyara Sylestine (Diné, Coushatta), and Penny Harris (Cree) and Esther Nystrom (Diné) from American Indian Student Support Services. Additionally, ASU Makerspace provided sewing machines for the students to use. Kiyara provided a breakdown of how to create a ribbon skirt, followed by walking the students through using a sewing machine.
As the event progressed, Kiyara and the other seamstresses took the time to work through any difficulties they experienced. As a result, the event was a great success with many Indigenous students were able to create a ribbon skirt for their first time. The workshop consisted of great vibes, light snacks, and Taylor Swift! This was definitely an event for the books and we had so much fun hosting!
-Written by Tonana Ben (Diné)
Meet and Greet with Bryan Newland, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs
On February 19th, the Labriola Center hosted a meet and greet with the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, Bryan Newland (Ojibwe). During his visit, he met with the students, faculty, and staff to learn more about ASU and the Indigenous programs. Additionally, he sat and conversed with students and staff, learning about their plans and progress in education. Later in the day, Bryan gave a presentation on his academic and career path, highlighting his significant accomplishments in life.
-Written by Eli Shepherd (Diné)
Upcoming Events
Check out our upcoming events by visiting our events page here.