Indigenous Culture Week: ICW History
History
Established in 1989, ASU has celebrated Indigenous culture during the spring semester. Initially this week was called "American Indian Culture Week,” then "Native American Culture Week," and since 2020 “Indigenous Culture Week.” The name change can be accredited to the advocacy and hard work of current Indigenous students who view the term “Indigenous” more inclusive to all nations. This transformation of names can been seen in the Labriola ephemera collection, which contains posters of past culture weeks (see gallery below).
The ASU Library acknowledges the twenty-three Native Nations that have inhabited this land for centuries. Arizona State University's four campuses are located in the Salt River Valley on ancestral territories of Indigenous peoples, including the Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Pee Posh (Maricopa) Indian Communities, whose care and keeping of these lands allows us to be here today. ASU Library acknowledges the sovereignty of these nations and seeks to foster an environment of success and possibility for Native American students and patrons. We are advocates for the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge systems and research methodologies within contemporary library practice. ASU Library welcomes members of the Akimel O’odham and Pee Posh, and all Native nations to the Library.
