From film screenings to mindful art making to book talks, Indigenous Culture Week (ICW) is shaping up to be a time to create, reflect and be inspired. The Labriola National American Indian Data Center planned this year’s programs inviting students and community to participate. The events highlight the theme “Past, Present, Future…Indigenous Forever.”
Sharing what ICW means to her, Labriola student librarian, Utohna Francis (Diné), states, “Being Indigenous means hundreds of years of struggling to maintain our cultures, but it also means celebrating hundreds of years of cultural resilience and revitalization. It is paramount to rebuild and sustain our cultures, as well as creating spaces for Indigenous people to explore their cultural identities. ICW allows for Indigenous people to do all of this and it also introduces the broader western society at ASU to learn more about Indigenous culture and ideologies, which assists in clearing negative stereotypes and other harmful depictions of Indigenous people.” During ICW week, the Labriola Center invites everyone to join in the celebration of Indigenous peoples, cultures, and resiliency.
ICW events are happening April 4-10 across all campuses at Arizona State University, located on the ancestral homeland of the O’odham and Piipaash people. The week continues to be an important opportunity to bring communities together to celebrate and share Indigenous voices from around the world.
Established in 1989, ICW has evolved over the years. A library guide is available to help inform Indigenous and non-Indigenous students about its history. There are also resources available at ASU and materials in the Labriola Center collection which was founded in 1993.
“The Labriola Center also hosts and supports events that spotlight the cultural resiliency of Indigenous people and the history of that resiliency,” said Eric Hardy, Senior Program Coordinator with the Labriola Center. “We hope that through these events students and the local community become more informed of Indigenous peoples and work towards supporting Indigenous people in their cultural resiliency efforts.”
Partnerships across ASU help make Indigenous Culture Week a collaborative success. “Community building is at the center of Labriola’s goals. Labriola Center supports ASU’s American Indian community by partnering with American Indian student organizations and departments,” said Hardy. “Furthermore, Labriola also partners with the local Tribal communities by creating a space for their participation at ASU.”
Even after ICW is over, the Labriola Center will continue to host events through the end of the semester. Back by popular demand, the LoFi-Beats Study Session will take up residence during the evening of April 13. Follow along on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for the latest news.
Check out the complete list of ICW events below. All events take place at the ASU Library Labriola Center on the second floor of Hayden Library unless otherwise noted.
Monday, April 4
Show and Share: Past, Present, Future ... Indigenous Forever Edition (Zoom)
4-5 p.m.
Join the Labriola Center and American Indian Student Support Services’ Show and Share to learn of the importance of archiving and community memory. Through the theme of Past, Present, Future ... Indigenous Forever, learn how you are archiving on a daily basis. Begin your archival journey to strengthen community memory. Join the event via Zoom.
De-colonizing the Set: Apache Leap and the Community Production Model
5:30-7:30 p.m.
The film, “Apache Leap,” was born of the shared vision and commitment of an entire community, who seeks to see itself represented with all the nuance and beauty that the San Carlos Apache Reservation contains. The entire main cast and a majority of production crew members, is composed of tribal members. Through the Native Arts Film Academy, young adults from the reservation filmed and produced Apache Leap.
Director and producer Christian Rozier, who began his career as a music video and commercial director, will be joined by cast and members of the production crew for a conversation and discussion about the film.
Tuesday, April 5
Indigenous Culture Week Tabling (Hayden Library south patio)
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Join ASU American Indian student organizations American Indian Social Work Student Association, American Indian Science and Engineering Society, Turning Points and more for a day of sharing on the Hayden Library’s south patio.
5:30-7:30 p.m.
‘Apache Leap’ Film Screening
“Apache Leap” tells the story of Apache artist Keane and the situations he faces to get a job before the deadline passes and his dreams evaporate, all while navigating family stresses, enemies from his past, and an unpredictable old car.
Produced on location in the San Carlos Apache Reservation and the neighboring city of Globe, Arizona, this independent feature explores the extraordinary beauty and the unique challenges of these two communities, and the scorching ribbon of highway that connects them.
Wednesday, April 6
Mindfulness Art with Marlena Robbins (Hayden Library C34)
5-7 p.m.
Join Marlena Robbins (Diné) for an evening of mindful art. Create a visual artistic poem from the pages of historic documents and literature related to American Indian history and issues. Through this creative process, learn of the relaxing ways mindful art can be used as a healthy outlet.
Thursday, April 7
‘A History of Navajo Nation Education: Disentangling Our Sovereign Body’
Book Talk with Wendy Greyeyes
6-7:30 p.m.
Join the Labriola Center for an exciting dialogue with Wendy Shelly Greyeyes (Diné). Greyeyes is an assistant professor of Native American studies at the University of New Mexico. Her new book unravels the tangle of federal and state education programs that have been imposed on Navajo people and illuminates the ongoing efforts by tribal communities to transfer state authority over Diné education to the Navajo Nation. In providing the historical roots of today’s Navajo Nation Education challenges, Wendy Shelly Greyeyes clears the path and provides a go-to reference to move discussions forward.
For questions, contact: Eric Hardy, Senior Program Coordinator, at Eric.D.Hardy@asu.edu.