Indigenous Culture Week Recap 2022
The Labriola National American Indian Data Center at ASU Hayden Library hosted several events and programs for Indigenous Culture week. Each event centered on Indigenous resilience, collaboration, and leadership. These programs celebrated Indigenous sovereignty within libraries by emphasizing academic research, creativity, and authorship by Native people.
Monday, April 4th:
"Apache Leap" Panel with Cast and Crew from San Carlos Apache Tribe
On Monday, April 4th, members of the San Carlos Apache reservation spoke at a panel on their film, “Apache Leap.” A majority of the crew and cast were from the San Carlos Apache Tribe. The goal for this communal project was that the story be owned and authored by the San Carlos Apache Tribal community members, not by Hollywood or stereotypical perspectives. Presenters spoke about the making of the film and the importance of input from their community members. The film was featured on campus the following day.
Tuesday, April 5th:
Tabling at Hayden Library with Indigenous Student Organizations
On Tuesday, April 5th, ASU American Indian student organizations tabled in front of ASU Hayden Library. Some organizations that were tabling included the American Indian Social Work Student Association, American Indian Science and Engineering Society,Alliance of Indigenous Peoples, and Turning Points. Labriola and these Indigenous organizations tabled from 10am-1pm in front of the library, where students could meet and network with various organizations available to them.
Wednesday, April 6th:
Mindfulness Art Workshop with Marlena Robbins (Diné)
The following day, Wednesday, April 6th, Marlena Robbins (Diné) led a mindfulness art workshop. She asked participants to create a poem from excerpts printed from the book, “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Citizen Potawatomi Nation) and the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs–1898. Joined by the Pascua Yaqui Youth Group from Guadalupe, Arizona, students shared their creative process and original poems. Participants used materials such as crayons, pencils, paint, tape, scissors, and paper to create powerful pieces of poetry that reflected their identities and unique perspectives as Native people.
Thursday, April 7th:
Book Talk with Dr. Wendy Greyeyes on "A History of Navajo Nation Education: Disentangling Our Sovereign Body"
On the remaining day, Thursday, April 7th, Labriola hosted a book talk with Dr. Wendy Greyeyes, who wrote A History of Navajo Nation Education: Disentangling Our Sovereign Body. This book is a document of how colonialism affects Navajo learning and education, and offers solutions on the kind of work that needs to be done in order for the Navajo education system to be a united, sovereign body free from colonial ties. Democratic leader Ginger Sykes Torres, who is running for Congress, and Navajo Nation Council member Nathaniel Brown attended Dr. Greyeyes’ book talk.
This past week has been a homecoming for me and a submergence in my culture and identity as a Diné woman. I attended a university in Virginia where I discovered myself as a creative writer and poet. Being a part of the Labriola National American Indian Data Center at ASU has brought me closer to my passion: leaving a legacy for and authored by Indigenous artists, leaders, scholars, and librarians.
-Written by Yitazba Largo-Anderson