Donate today to support the Labriola Center, the only Indigenous-led, Indigenous-staffed library in a doctoral university within the continental United States.
On most afternoons when you visit the Labriola National American Indian Data Center at Hayden Library, you may find students listening to music on vinyl records, studying or playing games together.
Tonana Ben (Diné) is one of the student workers at the Labriola Center and also serves as Miss Indigenous 2025-2026. Ben plans to graduate in 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; the center’s expansion shaped her experience at ASU by providing a space of belonging.
“I feel like that's something that's kind of hard to come by, especially when you're here at a very large public university,” Ben said. “Being able to have this space gave me a sense of home because I always felt like I belonged here, and everyone was so welcoming. It definitely made me feel more motivated because it made me want to stay here and finish my studies.”
In addition to providing specialized library and research services, the Labriola Center hosts events like Indigenous language bingo nights and sewing workshops that bring students together. One event that Ben helped plan was a fashion show in fall 2024.
“November is Native American Heritage Month, and I was one of the co-coordinators for the Indigenous student fashion show,” said Ben. “I think that was definitely a turning point that made me realize this is more than a library because we literally hosted a fashion show right here in Labriola and we invited different designers from various tribal communities to present their pieces and then we also had students participate by being the models.”
On Sun Devil Giving Day, you can make an impact for students like Tonana by donating to the Labriola Center, the only Indigenous-led, Indigenous-staffed library in a doctoral university within the continental United States.
“I want donors to understand how much impact the center has on the students, because for me personally, it's a home away from home,” Ben said. “I don't know if I'd have the same journey as a Sun Devil if I didn't have the Labriola Center because of how much they do here. It's nice to be able to have a place to study, have a place to meet new people, and just have a place where you feel like you belong.”
Make a gift today on Sun Devil Giving Day! Thank you for creating opportunities for Sun Devils to learn and thrive!
