APIDA and SWANA Heritage Month in April will be a time to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Asian Pacific American Cultural Center at Colorado State University.
The annual monthlong event — which celebrates Asian Pacific Islanders and Desi Americans and Southwest Asians and North Africans — features a Lūʻau on April 20 to celebrate APACC’s 40th anniversary.
The Lūʻau is one of 10 attractions organized by APACC that include discussions, meet-and-greets and culinary experiences. On April 4, there will be a food street fair at Braiden Dining Hall in which visitors can sample a variety of APIDA and SWANA foods. The month also will feature an Eid Henna Night on April 8 in celebration of Muslim culture. Additionally, there will be talks throughout the month on various topics, such as Black SAWANA identity and adoptee experiences.
The latest information on all events can be found at apacc.colostate.edu/apida-swana-heritage-month.
The Lūʻau — which is a ticketed event — is the centerpiece of a constellation of events celebrating the center’s anniversary. In the leadup to the Lūʻau, APACC Assistant Director Rachel Wada said, there will be an April 17 session exploring the origins of the Lūʻau as well as an April 19 open house in the APACC office in Lory Student Center 333.
“This year is really exciting,” Wada said. “There will be in-person performances, and several APACC students from CSU Athletics are putting together a special video as well at the Lūʻau.”
Wada added that the April 19 open house will be an opportunity for alumni to see the APACC office in the LSC and chat with students and staff. Additionally, the center commissioned a special commemorative timeline by Denver artist Kriss Wittmann that explores the 40-year history of APACC, which will be on display at select events.
“I’m excited to welcome back alumni to share their stories, engage with our students and continue to build relationships and connections with our office to ensure our experiences are visible so our center continues to thrive and expand as our communities continue to grow,” said APACC Director JoAnn Cornell.
Asian Pacific American Cultural Center history
Founded in 1984, APACC provides a safe and supportive space for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Southwest Asian, North African, Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian, Desi, adopted, mixed race, Asian American students and other historically marginalized communities.
The center, part of CSU’s Office for Inclusive Excellence, was created in response to a survey that indicated CSU Asian Pacific American students wanted to learn more about their Asian heritage and interact with other Asian Pacific American university members.
Cornell said that celebrating 40 years of APACC at CSU is a significant milestone, noting that the center was conceived from activism in which students wanted a space to be in community with other Asian Americans.
“We are still often seen as an invisible community, both unconsciously and consciously portrayed to the ‘Model Minority Myth,’ and continue to be targets of anti-Asian hate,” she said. “And yet, we continue to thrive, grow and expand our communities to include Southwest Asian North African communities, including our communities of mixed race, transracial adoptees, queer, trans, survivors and with disabilities. Although we still have work to do, I want to celebrate this milestone with everyone. We will not be silenced. We matter. Let’s celebrate 40 years on this campus.”
