Labriola Center Highlights from Fall 2025
September 2025
Labriola Welcome Back
Wednesday, September 10
"Spending the morning interacting with incoming students was amazing, as it gave us the chance to promote many of this semester’s upcoming Labriola Center events and introduce new students to the resources we offer. Throughout the day, I enjoyed answering questions, sharing stories about our work and watching students discover parts of the library they didn’t know existed. The enthusiasm from everyone who stopped by made the experience even more meaningful. Being part of the energy and excitement of Library Day displays how Labriola builds connections across the ASU community."
-Written by Mafi Pamaka
"On September 10th the Library hosted Library day where students and staff enjoyed a day filled with snacks, music, and entertainment. As student workers of Labriola we were asked to bring in any vinyls we wanted to listen and play on the 1st floor of the library."
-Written by Tonana Ben
"For Library Day, student-staff were asked to provide DJ services, as selectors, on the first floor of Hayden. Each student brought their own vinyl collection so that they could mix their collection with others' collections. It created a fun tag-team environment where each student brought their own musical tastes to blend together. It was also great to see interest and support in our space and the work we do on a broad spectrum of students and staff here at ASU. Hopefully, the student-staff are able to DJ again, because although we chose the songs individually, it was cool to work together to keep the music flowing."
-Written by Falcon Reed
"The student workers of Labriola were given the opportunity to DJ for Library Day and bring in any vinyls that they wanted to play for the event! Library Day was a fun filled environment where different communities in the library came together to show students what they had to offer and the different kinds of resources that were available for students. It was a wonderful experience and great opportunity to share with students what Labriola is all about and what our goal is as a library. Welcome Back Labriola was the first event I had the pleasure of working as a new student worker at Labriola."
-Written by Talia Porras
Heartspeak Poetry Workshop and Indigenous Open Mic Night with Tanaya Winder
Thursday, September 28
The Labriola Center had the pleasure of hosting Tanaya Winder as this fall semester's poet for our biannual Indigenous Open Mic Night. Tanaya Winder comes from an intertribal lineage of Southern Ute, Pyramid Lake Paiute, Diné and Duckwater Shoshone Nations. Her heritage also includes African American roots. Winder is a spoken word poet and combines her poetry with music.
"Tanaya’s performances and talks emphasize the importance of “heartwork” – the life path one is meant to follow by using his/her/their gifts and passions. She blends storytelling, singing, and spoken word to teach about different expressions of love (self love, intimate love, social love, community love, and universal love)."
Prior to the open mic, Tanaya Winder hosted a creative writing workshop called "Heartspeak." The workshop centered on themes of the heart and healing through exercises that inspire mindfulness and self-awareness. Her workshop encompassed the healing of heartwork, which you can learn more about in a video from the Heard Museum with Winder, "Indigenizing Vessel."
For the Open Mic, Ruben C. kickstarted the evening with original poems. Ruben Cu:k Ba'ak is an enrolled member of the Tohono O’odham Nation and incorporates his experience as a traditional O'odham person in a contemporary time. Cu:k Ba'ak was followed by Yitazba Largo-Anderson (Diné), who incorporated a looper pedal and her vocals. Volunteers from the crowd shared their original poetry, including a volunteer reader from ASU West Valley! Tanaya Winder ended the evening with original poems and songs, which you can purchase from bandcamp here or listen through spotify here.
"The Indigenous open mic hosted by Tanaya Winder was such a great experience because the poetry and the words she expressed made the night such a memorable event. She emphasized so much of her personal experience and allowed the audience to perceive her vulnerabilities. The environment was interactive and there were definitely multiple emotions that filled the air. Other speakers followed up with their craftsmanship and it only added to the nature that Tanaya had constructed. Upon hearing everybody speak and display the image they fabricated, I could only enjoy the warm and tender moment with the rest of the audience and offer my applause at the tail-end of their last words. Generally speaking, the event had a warm, inviting setting whether it was seeing everyone take turns at the microphone or enjoying delicious food while the audience seamlessly came together as a community."
-Written by Colton Jim
"This wasn’t my first Open Mic Night that I have attended, but it was the first that I have spoken at. Usually, public speaking is a challenge for me. However, all throughout the night, everyone catered to and created a very inviting space for poets and artists to be vulnerable and share their creations. The student-staff were encouraged to participate and read any literature that resonated with them, so I decided to read an excerpt from Brian Young’s “Healer of the Water Monster”. I described how my personal experience earlier that week mirrored a scene that occurred in the book, and how Young writes so that Diné youth can see themselves in fictional stories. Although I was more nervous than I anticipated while sharing, I still felt welcome to share in our space, which continues to cater to indigenous expression through all kinds of media."
-Written by Falcon Reed
"The open mic event was my first with Labriola and one of the most memorable this semester. Tanaya Winder is an amazing poet and listening to her work was inspiring and heartwarming. Our other speakers also brought in amazing pieces to share and created a very cozy atmosphere. I also was able to share a poem that resonated with me from Janice Gould’s, Doubters and Dreamers, from our open stacks. With the food, speakers, and community, it was a memorable experience and I hope to attend many more."
-Written by Isabell Rodriguez
"The first Open Mic I attended was last year and since then I have been looking forward to it this semester. I attended Tanaya Winder’s Heartspeak Workshop earlier that day. I enjoyed learning about poetry and how to use creative writing to express yourself. One quote from her workshop that stuck with me is “our words are seeds”. I liked this quote because I think it shows our words have more power than we think. They have the power to create, to grow depending on where we plant them and how we nurture them. Later that day at the Open Mic I enjoyed hearing from students and community members storytell while sharing personal experience through poetry."
-Written by Myacedes Miller
"The Indigenous Open Mic Night was my first poetry reading I have been to here at Labriola and it was a beautiful experience. There’s something special about hearing someone speak about their passions and listening to Tanaya’s poetry was fascinating. I also loved how many people had the courage to go up and speak and perform whether it was a poem they found from a book or something they wrote themselves. This event really opened my eyes and is when I gained a clearer understanding of the kinds of events Labriola hosts and how important each of them are to our community. Now that I’ve experienced an Open Mic Night I might gain the courage to speak at the next one."
-Written by Talia Porras
Bingo (Navajo) with Miss Indigenous ASU
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Miss Indigenous ASU hosted a Navajo Bingo night at the Labriola Center, with gifts for winners that included a Sheep Herders Special basket, coloring books, journals, and more. Although participants were seated and the room was relatively quiet, tension amongst players was so thick it could be cut with a knife. Everyone was eager to call out BINGO!
"I was so glad to be able to play bingo in a language that I’m trying to pick up slowly. My mom started teaching me the numbers up to ten and a few colors when I was small. When I took the Navajo language a few years ago, I was able to recognize them and put it to some use. Now with bingo, I was able to use the words and feel included in the activity. I had a lot of fun playing, and I am so glad I got the opportunity to see my language in spaces like these."
-Written by Isabell Rodriguez
"I’ve always enjoyed bingo from a young age. Tensions were definitely high at bingo night at the labriola. I had a lot of fun playing. It was awesome how the Navajo language was incorporated into the game. Throughout the night I found myself memorizing the names of the colors used. There were a lot of great prizes including the Sheep Herders Special. Overall I think including our tribal languages into simple games like this is a great way to learn our languages and bring our communities together."
-Written by Myacedes Miller
October 2025
Indigenous People's Day Office of Indigenous K-12 Literacy Symposium
Monday, October 13
For Indigenous People's Day, Labriola Center staff and volunteers hosted the Office of Indian Education's Indigenous Literacy Symposium at the Labriola Center in Hayden Library. The symposium included ten breakout sessions and an author and illustrator presentation by Daniel W. Vandever and Deon Mitchell, creators of "We Weave." Free Indigenous texts were included for those who registered. Keep an eye out for future events from the Office of Indian Education and learn more by going to their website here.
Interested in Indigenous K-12 titles? A library guide created by Vina Begay accompanies recommended books for K-12 Indigenous children! You can access the library guide here.
"The Indigenous People’s Day K-12 Literacy Symposium was a special day. As someone who loves to read and is constantly finding ways to promote reading in our communities, it was a joy to be a part of this event. There were hundreds of books all written by and for Indigenous people organized to be handed out to tribal educators. All of the books were fitting options for K-12 children. I enjoyed being present in the breakout rooms and hearing about tribal educators' experiences, hopes, and goals for the future of reading in our communities. They were kind enough to gift me Looking for Smoke by K.A. Cobell. This was an enriching event that will absolutely shape the future of literacy for Indigenous peoples in the valley and on our AZ reservations."
-Written by Lainey Tsosie
"The Indigenous K-12 Literacy Symposium was an informative session and I enjoyed the various presentations regarding the educational and cultural needs of Native American students. The breakout sessions offered different perspectives followed by strong discussions. There was definitely some great dialogue from the attendees highlighting the differences and similarities when teaching at tribal schools from across the country. Upon the symposium were books that were handed out to individuals who registered for the event. The book selection depicted strong option choices for each of the readers as there were various genres to choose from. Personally, I had a great time and had the opportunity to be gifted a book titled, Looking For Smoke. I am excited for this thriller and will begin my reading once classes have ended."
-Written by Colton Jim
"Indigenous Peoples’ Day was a fitting date for the Office of Indigenous K-12 Literacy symposium. As I helped set up for the breakout sessions, I found the topics being discussed to be very interesting. The narratives woven throughout the event were thoughtful, especially considering cultural application based on the workshops. AZ Humanities also provided books for participants to take home. Thanks to them, I personally took a picture book about native steelworkers because I appreciated the representation."
-Written by Falcon Reed
"I was glad to be of help for the Indigenous K-12 Literacy Symposium. With it being on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, I felt like it tied my day together and made me feel good about helping my community. I got to sit in two breakout sessions. One was led by a Hopi writer who wanted to share his grandfather’s story. He talked about how it healed him and how he wants to share personal stories with others as a form of healing and educating others on the history of the boarding schools. The other breakout session was a teacher sharing her experiences with her classroom and sharing indigenous literature and how to incorporate it into others’ classrooms. She also did an amazing job breaking down her plans and involving others in her lesson-making. At the end of the event, we were able to select a featured book from the event, and I wanted to share my gratitude for being able to assist with this event and contribute to passing this knowledge to others."
-Written by Isabell Rodriguez
"The Indigenous K-12 Literacy Symposium was held on Indigenous peoples day. It was great to see educators gather at an event like this one centered around Native youth education. One of the sessions I sat in on discussed how to include Native American history into the K-12 curriculum and what that looks like for different aged students. I enjoyed hearing from different presenters and seeing the thoughtful work. Later in the day each attendee had the chance to pick a book from an assortment. I personally chose the book “Looking For Smoke by K.A Cobell” which I am currently reading."
-Written by Myacedes Miller
Native Nations Project
Monday, October 20, 2025
Written by Larissa Fasthorse , the Native Nations Project is a play about the complex contemporary Native experience. Characters grapple with what makes a Native identity authentic, and interlaced with these deep questions (that are sometimes left unanswered) and conversations (that are sometimes uncomfortable but necessary), the characters banter with humor. A semi-circle of twenty or so Native performers read script from Fasthorse's play, leaving the audience suspended on their next lines, laughing at jokes thrown around the room, and a sense of belonging in a story made for the Indigenous spectrum.
"This event was a rehearsal prior to a performance at ASU Gammage. The actors carried themselves with a special energy that was engaging and compelling. The lines and acting were attention-grabbing. I wish I had stayed for the entire rehearsal, but from what I could tell, it was a great performance."
-Written by Falcon Reed
"The Native Nations Project was humorous while it also touched on many unique yet shared Native experiences. Growing up, I’ve never seen Native’s experience portrayed in the media. It's great nowadays seeing more and more every year. The performers were awesome and engaging. I enjoyed the topics about identity and the unique experiences. It's really special to see native writers put together amazing work that encompasses our communities."
-Written by Myacedes Miller
"It was amazing to see the performers rehearse and then perform for the audience. We had an amazing turn out and the crowd was excited to see the performance and they weren’t disappointed."
-Written by Talia Porras
Labriola Book Award with Dr. Bethany Hughes (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma)
Thursday, October 23, 2025
"The Labriola book award with Bethany Hughes was very informal and it gave great insight to her book and how she went about developing the book. Throughout the year, Labriola will hold book awards for Indigenous authors and I think that it is great because they are books already in the Labriola collection. This gives readers and the community a chance to meet the author, receive book signings, and hold book discussions with the audience and the author. The book she authored: Redface: Race, Performance, and Indigeneity expresses the racial, political, and physical qualities of the “Indian” in live theater. This book also correlates with her work regarding representation of Indigenous Individuals in theoretical performances and contemporary Indigenous theater."
-Written by Colton Jim
"Bethany Hughes authored Redface: Race, Performance and Indigeneity. At the labriola we held a Book Award. I enjoyed hearing her speak about her book and introducing me more to Indigeneity in theater. It's interesting to look back and to see the way Native Americans have been portrayed in theater. Later in the event we had catering from Mario’s The REZ. Many people gathered around the back tables in the Labriola and participated in meaningful conversation about topics discussed from her book."
-Written by Myacedes Miller
You can view a list of Labriola Center Book Award winners here.
Labriola Book Club: Exposure
Sunday, October 26
The Labriola Center hosted a virtual book club on Ramona Emerson's haunting novel, Exposure. Lainey Tsosie (Diné) led reading discussion questions, which dipped into taboos regarding ghosts and the main character's perspectives as a Navajo forensic photographer.
Book Synopsis:
"In the follow-up to the National Book Award–longlisted Shutter, Navajo forensic photographer Rita Todacheene grapples with a fanatical serial killer—and the ghosts he leaves behind.
A dual-voice cat-and-mouse thriller, told from the points of view of a killer who has created his own deadly religion and the only person who can stop him, an embattled young detective who sees the ghosts of his Native victims."
"It was such a privilege getting to read Exposure for our October book club event. It was a full circle moment because we had read and talked about Ramona Emerson’s first novel in what’s now the series, Shutter during our October 2024 book club meeting. I enjoyed how Exposure shifted from one perspective to another to fully encapsulate the narrative and utilized symbolism of the crows to carry the story forward. During our book clubs I always make a list of questions beforehand for us to roughly go off of when we are discussing. The book discussed many themes surrounding the maintenance and change of relationships, Navajo culture, and religion. All of these themes were tied seamlessly into one another and kept me thinking well after our book club meeting was over. I definitely recommend reading Exposure for a cold winter day. We have both Shutter and Exposure available at the Labriola open stacks so make sure to stop by and check it out."
-Written by Lainey Tsosie
Interested in reading the book? Check its availability from our Open Stacks collection here!
Phoenix Zine Fest
Sunday, October 26
"On a warm fall morning Labriola student workers set up at Rocket Space gallery on Southern and Mill Ave for the final day of Phoenix Zine Fest, a three-day event celebrating the zine community in the Phoenix metropolitan as artists share, vend, and trade their bite-sized works, including booklets, prints, charms, and stickers. Spotlighting two NDN activists within our collection, we honor the late Klee Benally, an environmental activist and Indigenous anarchist who complemented his protest work through disseminating music and zines. The Center recently obtained his collection of zines collected from the community or created himself.
Our other changemaker is Jean Chaudhuri, a powerful policy maker and community activist who fought for the preservation of the now Steele Indian School Park and Memorial Hall, of the former Phoenix Indian School on Indian School Road and Central Ave. Other activities at the event included screen printing a Zine Fest design on your t-shirt or tote bag in purple or pink. Closing the three-day event, zine artists and vendors exchanged works discussing identity, grief, the Southwest, recipes, pets, as well as future collaborative projects and events."
-Written by Elena Dominguez
"Labriola highlighted two influential Indigenous figures represented in our archival collections: Klee Benally and Jean Chaudhuri. Benally (Dinétah), an environmental activist, musician, filmmaker, and Indigenous anarchist, used zines, music, and media to support movements for land defense and cultural survival. The Center recently acquired a significant collection of his self-made and community-circulated zines, which document his outspoken advocacy and grassroots organizing. Chaudhuri (Muscogee Creek Nation), a powerful policy advocate and cultural leader in Phoenix, fought to preserve the former Phoenix Indian School campus, now Steele Indian School Park and Memorial Hall. Her work strengthened urban Native communities and protected vital cultural spaces. Festival visitors also enjoyed screen printing Zine Fest designs in purple or pink. As the weekend closed, artists exchanged their works and discussed themes of identity, grief, the Southwest, and future collaborations. Labriola’s participation underscored the importance of Indigenous-centered archiving, preserving community histories, supporting sovereignty and sustaining living cultural memory."
-Written by Mafi Pamaka
Doing Research in Indigenous Communities
Monday, October 27 - Reception
Tuesday, October 28 - Presentations
"Research is an important part of building societies, crafting solutions, and bringing others together. However it is important to include multiple perspectives when conducting and participating in research. Every year, the DRIC Conference is held in collaboration with the American Indian Studies Program, the Center for Indian Education, the Labriola National American Indian Data Center and ASU’s Office of Tribal Nations Advancement and Indigenous Futures to bring attention to indigenous sovereignty in research, innovation, and education. This year, the conference highlighted the use of technology and Indigenous knowledge to aid health and education.
The first day of the conference focused on setting up the conversation of indigenous values and works within research. Community guided dialogues brought educators, students, and researchers together to share the vision of the work needed to uplift health and education in indigenous communities.
Day two included multiple breakout sessions sharing current work being done in public health. These sessions were led by leaders, researchers, and scholars sharing their research and policy work within tribal nations.
Altogether, this conference brought in resources, education, and ideas to trailblaze the way for future work to indigenous public health, education, and policymaking in tribal communities. It opened the discussion to many community members and hopes to inspire others to support Indigenous researchers and scholars."
-Written by Isabell Rodriguez
"Although I did not participate in the breakout session for Doing Research In Indigenous Communities I was able to attend the reception. The reception took place outside the north west side Hayden Library on the patio. I believe the catering was provided by Nella’s Kreations. It was great to hear people engage in conversation about the breakout sessions."
-Written by Myacedes Miller
Ribbon Skirt Workshop
Wednesday, October 29 and Thursday, October 30
"The ribbon skirt workshop hosted by none other than Miss ASU Indigenous was an event that I enjoyed because it was very social and interactive. The event resembled an instance of cultural resilience as the attendees fabricated traditional attire, ribbon skirts. The atmosphere was great, everyone was interacting with each other, the pizza was great, and the ribbon skirt designs were nice. The two day event held up to my expectations as everyone had nice geometric designs on their ribbon skirts."
-Written by Colton Jim
November 2025
Labriola vs. the World Chess Tournament (Preliminaries, Semi-Finals, and Finals)
"The Labriola Center kicked off its first ever chess event and it instantly became a classic. The format was simple as there were four labiola student workers and four ASU students who took part. Each Labriola student-worker paired up with an ASU student. The first round, Elite Eight, was filled with various thinking techniques and chess pieces battling the board. Ultimately, three of the four student workers were defeated leaving the lone Labriola student worker, current Miss ASU Indigenous, former president of the Mountain Pointe Chess Club, and former Miss Arizona Second Attendant, Tonana Ben advancing to the Final Four. However, the Cinderella story eventually ended with a fatal check mate from spotted horse. Next up, top two not two, became an instant thriller as the chess pieces maneuver strategically across the 8x8 chess board. The match came down to the wire and King of Check eventually won the first ever Labriola vs. The World Chess Tournament."
-Written by Colton Jim
"This event showcased Labriola’s own chess talent against real-world competitors with whom we were familiar. It was a lively night at the labriola once we had pizza to kick off the tournament. Once I had a couple of slices for brain power, the other student-staff and I entered our matches. Only one of us had survived to the next round, with surprise takes and indecision displayed in the first round. Within the second round, all Labriola members were knocked out of the race. However, the final matchup was full of tension and anxiety as each competitor crafted their own master plans."
-Written by Falcon Reed
"Labriola vs. The World Chess Tournament was a great turn out. It was our first time hosting a chess tournament and I think everyone was excited to see how it was going to go and bring their best game. In the two weeks leading up to the tournament I tried to fit online chess games wherever I could to get some practice in and prepare. On the day of the tournament we ordered pizza from Venezia’s and got ready for each of our individual tournaments. During my round, I had a strong open, but was unable to defend against my opponent's offense. While I did not advance to the second round, I had so much fun being a part of the competition. The energy was high and it was great to have people show up to support their friends. I’m looking forward to playing in the next tournament in the near future."
-Written by Lainey Tsosie
Karaoke Night
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Karaoke Night with a crowd of Indigenous students seated in Hayden Library, 204. Purple lights and silver tassels cascade from the ceiling. Balloons and string lights frame the front. A large blow-up disco ball hangs from the center ceiling. Two Indigenous female volunteers in front of the room are prepping for a song.
Karaoke at the Labriola Center was a hit! Hosted by Library Aides Isabelle, Talia, and Myacedes, students requested songs that varied from "Last Christmas" by Wham!, "Hot To Go" by Chappell Roan, "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" by The Smiths, "Corina" by Navajo Sundowners, "Sky Might Fall," by Kid Cudi, and "Tequila" by The Champs. In total, the Labriola Center had twenty-two song requests from students!
"As a recent hire at Labriola, Karaoke Night was the first event that I assisted in planning and we couldn’t have asked for a better turnout. We had put a lot of effort into the decorations in order to give it a fun karaoke vibe in hopes that it would invite people to perform. While we had a slow start at first, we eventually had our seating area full of eager singers that were ready to give award winning performances. Seeing everyone come out of their shell to go up and perform was so much fun and was exactly what we were hoping for. I’m thankful that we had the opportunity to plan this event and give everyone a chance to let loose and sing their hearts out."
-Written by Talia Porras
"Putting together this event was so fun, and I am so glad I got to work with others on this project. Helping with the planning reminded me of past projects I did in high school and made me feel like a part of the community even more. The lights, decorations, and music tied the whole event together, and I am so glad I got to spend the night with so many people. I felt so comfortable sharing my music and seeing everyone get on stage to sing. I love seeing everyone get together and destress through events like this. I enjoyed my time a lot, and I hope to see more Karaoke Nights in the future."
-Written by Isabell Rodriguez
"Karaoke Night was the first event I was able to help plan in collaboration with other staff at the Labriola. We had so much fun putting together our plans, starting with pictures from Pinterest of the vibe we wanted for the night. We definitely had a lot of anticipation of what the night would look like. We had a great turn out ,with many student songs queued up. I enjoyed seeing students sing and get together to perform. I personally love Karaoke and was excited to have the opportunity to have an event like this at the Labriola."
-Written by Myacedes Miller
Yaqui Lotería with Yaqui Pride Project
Thursday, November 6
The Labriola Center partnered with Carlos Valencia, Founder of the Yaqui Pride Project, for an evening of Yaqui Loterìa. Valencia founded Yaqui Pride Project to "provide resources for educational or personal use to further help an individual's journey of self-discovery." Valencia spoke in depth about Yaqui history in Phoenix, Arizona and the homelands in Sonora, Mexico.
"I learned that the Yaquis in Mexico express their own unique forms of sovereignty, where disputes are handled between warring tribes, without the Mexican government's involvement, unlike here in the United States where the federal government tends to step in. For example, I learned from Mr. Valencia that the Mexico government wanted to install a pipeline that crossed into Yaqui territory.
The Yaqui tribe has, in a way, sister Yaqui tribes, each recognized as their own unique tribal government. If one tribe decided that they did not want the pipeline to go through, then it affected the tribe next to them. One tribe wanted the pipeline, while the other did not. So, the two tribes ended up handling this dispute through sword fighting, and the Mexican government could not intervene." - Carlos Valencia reflecting on intertribal communication for the Agua Prieta pipeline, a contested pipeline since 2013 leading to a conflict in Loma de Bácum in 2016.
"In regards to the land in Phoenix, I learned that some of the Yaqui tribe were granted sanctuary by the United States federation." According to an article by John Schmal,
"President Porfirio Díaz (1876-1911) brought the worst onslaught of all (to the Yaquis), one that was almost continuous from 1882 to 1910. In addition to killing Yaqui citizens, Díaz and Sonoran authorities deported and enslaved thousands of Yaquis, sending them to work on the henequin plantations of Yucatán or the sugar cane fields of Oaxaca. This systemic genocide of the Yaquis sent many Yaquis fleeing across the international border into Arizona (where they created their own reservation with federal recognition in 1978)."
"I really appreciated the historical and cultural aspects that Valencia brought to the Lotería! When it comes to language revitalization for Indigenous peoples, the language encompasses a world of philosophy, thought, values, and relationships to people, history, and the land. In other words, it is not just the translation of a word understood in English; it is a transformational relationship to language."
-Written by Yitazba Largo-Anderso
For more information about Yaqui survival and cultural transformation, Labriola collections houses “Au Te Waate / We Remember It: Hiaki Survival Through A Bitter War” by Maria Fernanda Leyva (F1221.Y3 L49 2025) and “Yaqui homeland and homeplace : the everyday production of ethnic identity” by Kirstin C. Erickson (F1221.Y3 E75 2008) available in hard copy and online.
-Written by Elena Dominguez
I Am a Line of Words Art Exhibit with Mirra Keeto
Wednesday, November 18
For the first time, the Labriola Center showcased an art exhibit by Mirra Keeto (Diné / Akimel O’odham). Her art exhibit is accompanied by a book display that includes books on Italian Art history and culture, as well as Indigenous historic figures and contemporary artists. The exhibit will remain available to view in the Labriola Center at Hayden Library, 204 until the end of Spring semester 2026.
Read the blog article about Mirra Keeto and her art exhibit reception here.
Beats, Boba, and Board Games
Thursday, November 20
A table with UNO cards and a boba drink provided by Mario Etsitty of A Rez Urban Eatery.
Labriola Center hosted a game night where students could take a break from their studies and join in on various games including; UNO, Cards for Decolonization, Poker, Chess and Battleship while snacking on some Jalapeno Cornbread with their Boba. They were also able to engage with some tracks curated by DJ Hzo. The Boba drink flavors consisted of; Navajo tea, Taro, Strawberry puree with patrons choice of; tapioca pearls or strawberry and mango poppers.
"The room was filled with laughter, friendly competition and the kind of energy that makes you want to stay long after you planned to leave. I jumped right into an hour-long round of UNO. One of my favorite games was Cards for Decolonization, which sparked some hilarious and meaningful conversations. Between games, I helped myself to some warm jalapeño cornbread that paired perfectly with the drinks being served. The Boba bar was a huge highlight, there were flavors like Navajo tea, Taro and strawberry purée, and I went with strawberry purée and boba, which was an excellent choice. All the while, DJ Hzo was setting the vibe with a curated playlist that gave the whole night a relaxed but lively atmosphere. It felt like a space where everyone could unwind, connect and just enjoy being in community. By the end of the night, I felt refreshed, full and genuinely glad I decided to show up."
-Written by Mafi Pamaka
"This event was such a nice way to relax. I remember having a lot going on that week and panicking about a few deadlines, but this event made me realize that I could take some time to have fun. The boba provided by Chef Mario’s The REZ was amazing, and I love how there were so many ways you could make your drink. I started off with a strawberry taro milk tea and later made a strawberry Navajo tea drink. The board games and music provided by DJ Hzo put the whole night together. I played a lot of UNO with everyone, and our last round was almost endless. Somehow, I was able to win that round and claim bragging rights. After UNO, we all played Cards for Decolonization, which was my first time playing the game. I enjoyed it a lot, and it was so fun to relax with everyone and enjoy the good boba."
-Written by Isabell Rodriguez
"Labriola’s game night was filled with laughter and music. Beats were provided by DJ Hzo, while boba was provided by Chef Mario’s The REZ. Through a nearly two-hour game of UNO, students, staff, and others tested each other’s competitiveness and patience. All while cracking jokes and sipping down boba, so no hard feelings, of course. It was a much-needed break and an entertaining time away from the stress of assignments and quizzes!"
-Written by Falcon Reed
"The Labriola Center hosted game night which was accompanied by beverages from Chef Mario’s The REZ an Urban Eatery and live music from DJ Hzo. There were different board games and card games to choose from which included Chess, Monopoly, Cards for Decolonization, UNO, etc. One of my favorite games, UNO, definitely sparked the competitive atmosphere, strategy, and community bonding. The refreshments were the other highlight as I made my cup of matcha flavored boba tea. This quick boost of energy carried me through the long games and made me enjoy the night so much more. Generally, everybody was bonding and having fun all while enjoying the delicious refreshments and music."
-Written by Colton Jim
"Boba, Beats, and Board Games was such a fun night with yummy treats. It gave the chance for students to take a break from their studies and to recharge. The vibe of the night was great. We enjoyed music from Dj Hzo, and Boba from Chef Mario’s The REZ. I enjoyed the variety of flavors provided for the boba and tried different combinations that were delicious. We played UNO and it got very competitive which added to the fun. Later we played Cards of Decolonization which was awesome because I have never seen a Indigenous card game before. We laughed throughout the night and enjoyed each other's company."
-Written by Myacedes Miller
December
Study Night Strings n' Things
Thursday, December 4, 2025
"Strings n’ Things was a great turn out. I had been wanting to plan a crochet night for the longest time and we found the perfect opportunity to do it. With finals around the corner and all of us trying to find ways to distress, we figured a crochet and craft night would be perfect. We went out and got Christmas themed yarn and crochet hooks for people to use. We also picked up some ornament making and gingerbread house kits for anyone who wanted to join but didn’t necessarily want to crochet. We had Venezia’s pizza for everyone and gave people the evening to listen to Christmas music and have fun. Myself and a few others crocheted some snowflakes. Others crochet and knitted mini santa hats, stockings, and wreaths. People also made some pretty cute snowflake and gingerbread man ornaments, as well. We put our ornaments on our Labriola Christmas tree and it’s glowing with personality! It was so fun to bring the community together and do a craft night. Everyone seemed very excited and fond of the event. I’m looking forward to hosting the next Strings n’ Things event in the near future."
-Written by Lainey Tsosie