Health and raising retention rates were two main issues discussed at Native American Day held on Hayden Lawn on Tuesday.
Native Americans Taking Initiative on Success, the American Indian Social Work Student Association and Native Students for Native Youth-UNITY coordinated the event.
Two guest speakers were featured: Gary Bohnee, assistant to the governor and lieutenant governor of the Gila River Indian Community and Donald Warne, a clinical professor for the school of health management and policy in the W.P. Carey School of Business.
About 100 people heard speeches concerning the importance of raising retention rates, said Melissa Bryant, an aerospace engineering sophomore and president of NATIONS.
"We're trying to teach younger students that ... being educated can help our community," she said. "A lot of things have happened in the past, but we want to look to the future because that's where the changes are going to start."
The event also featured tables with a Native American historical timeline.
"They're just supposed to give people the idea of how Native Americans have changed along with how history has changed," said Nanibaa Beck, an anthropology senior and NSNY-UNITY vice president. "A lot of history doesn't show Native American history."
Though frybread was sold at the event, Brian Beetso, a biology junior and NSNY-UNITY president, said he wanted people to know that Native Americans aren't just about frybread.
"[But] it makes money selling it," he joked.
Tony Duncan and Dark Horse singers, and Ase S'Maav Mohave Bird Singers from Parker, Ariz., also performed at the event. Duncan performed a hoop dance.
Bryant said this year was the first time the Native American Day held at ASU had such a large turnout.
Social work senior Cassey Wright said the dance ceremony was interesting.
"I think [the event] will raise awareness," she said. "The culture is really interesting."
Thomas Avery, a business freshman, said it's important for everyone to appreciate their heritage.
"I think it would help people out to see different cultures and the issues that affect them that aren't necessarily mainstream," he said.
Reach the reporter at shaina.levee@asu.edu.
