This past spring tested us all with a turbulent semester. However, despite the challenges, we made it to the end with joy! This blog post observes highlights from past events, such as Tribal Legislative Day, Indigenous Mic Night and Seeds of Language, Seeds of Stories, AZ Humanities' Blue Corn Festival, the 2026 Prayer Run, and Songs of Survivance. In addition to the successful events, the Labriola Center shares ASU News articles on Indigenous students and researchers who have accomplished much to be proud of.
2026 Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day
In collaboration with Navajo Nation Library, the Labriola Center rang in the new year by tabling for Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day at the Arizona State Capitol in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. Read more about the event and what happened in January 2026.
Seeds of Language, Seeds of Stories, Indigenous Open Mic Night, and AZ Humanities' Blue Corn Festival with Dr. Manny Loley
Indigenous Open Mic Night, Seeds of Language, Seeds of Stories, and AZ Humanities' Blue Corn Festival took place during February and March 2026.
Dr. Manny Loley (Diné) led a creative writing series called "Seeds of Language, Seeds of Stories" that took place in several spaces across Phoenix where Indigenous peoples gather. The first session, Nitsáhákéés (Thinking Creatively) took place at South Mountain Community Library on Thursday, February 12, 2026. The second session, Nahat’á (Framework or Guiding Principles) took place at the Phoenix Indian Center on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The third session, Iiná (Living or Embodied Knowledge), took place at Hayden Library, 317 on Thursday, February 26 with the Indigenous Open Mic following after from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Labriola Center.
The Indigenous Open Mic was attended by participants from the workshop series and Indigenous students at ASU. Participants from the creative writing workshop series had the opportunity to share their work. Laura Tohe (Diné) attended the Open Mic and read some of Rex Lee Jim's poetry. At the time, Rex Lee Jim had passed away recently and him and his work largely influenced Dr. Loley.
The fourth and final session on the Seeds of Language, Seeds of Stories series called Siihasin (Reflection and Thinking Ahead) ended at the AZ Humanities Blue Corn Festival on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Brain Young, author of Healer of the Water Monster, attended this session.
Each session was unique due to its location and audience, however the series was also interconnected, where Dr. Loley weaved together stories from local authors within Arizona and our relation to the living breathing nature of land expressed through breath and poetry.
Go to the blog post that contains the Open Mic.
Learn more about the Seeds of Language, Seeds of Stories workshop series.
2026 Prayer Run
"The annual Prayer Run hosted by The Labriola National American Indian Data Center is a time of renewal, not only for the seasons but also for those of us who are fortunate enough to participate in one way or another. Although I was only working as an assistant to the runners this year, I felt the energy shifting from winter to summer in each student and community member who stayed with us during this event. As we passed community members living in Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community their encouraging presence pushed our runners to continue through the growing heat of the day. Making it through the city where so many lives spend the working hours of their day was probably the toughest stretch for our runners but in the end we made it to our destination at Muhaḍagĭ Doʼag. It was here we were met with a beautiful surprise by Tohono O'odham Vice Chairwoman Carla Johnson who joined us in prayer to complete our journey."
- Written by Mafi Pamaka.
Learn more from March's blog post.
The Prayer Run was also featured in O'odham Action News! We wanted to do a prayer run and that’s mainly because as O’odham, from my understanding, [this is how] we honor and recognize these things. Along with getting the full space, we wanted to usher it in, in a way that respects our culture, our Himdag.” Go to the article to learn more.
Songs of Survivance: Notes in Olas Ki with Mega Ran
Another successful event for the books! We are so grateful for Mega Ran's performance that kicked off our "tiny desk" NPR inspired concert series. His and DJ Reflekshin's music and lyrics ignited so much joy in the Labriola Center. His album reminded me that although the songs were dedicated towards children, we should all play his songs for the inner child within who craves that same love, curiosity, and joy reflected in "Buddy's Magic Tree House."
Student Appreciation Day
Labriola Center staff celebrated the hard work the students have put in this past semester with a student appreciation day. So on Friday, May 9, we closed up shop and played Pikka Park and ate Famous Dave's Barbeque while wearing Labriola metal T-shirts!
Indigenous Scholars and Labriola Center Library Users Featured in ASU News
Labriola Center Library Aide, Lainey Tsosie graduated and was featured in ASU News! Honors psychology grad bridges research, cultures and Indigenous community engagement. Read the article.
Seeds of memory: How a Navajo student is planting culture and community at ASU.
Chandlee Begay blends cultural knowledge with sustainable agriculture through his Indigenous planting workshops. Read the article.
Not your ordinary pageant: Ms. and Mr. Indigenous ASU event is a celebration of culture and community. Read the article.
At ASU’s Relate Lab, students, scholars and community members are coming together to rethink how research is done and for whom. The lab's work is community-based, collaborative and rooted in “real results,” whether that means restoring water systems, rethinking disaster response or reshaping how people understand their relationship to place. Read the article.