Retracing our Roots

2024 Trip Details

Deadline to Apply: December 1
Friday, January 19, 2024 @ 5 p.m: Meet at the Asian Culture Center, 807 E. 10th Street and depart for Bradford Woods for an overnight stay.
Saturday, January 20: All-Day Workshop
Saturday, January 20, 2024 @ 5 p.m: Return to IU Bloomington

Spots are limited. If you have any questions, email us at acc@indiana.edu

Click here to register

2024 Guest Facilitators

Navigating Racialized Visibility as Midwest Asian Americans by Dr. Monica M. Trieu, Associate Professor, Purdue University

What does it mean to be racialized as an Asian American in the Midwest? How do your experiences shape who you are and how you view yourself/your roots? Drawing from Fighting Invisibility: Asian Americans in the Midwest (Rutgers UP, 2023), this workshop will cover how historical racialized interactions—including various forms of racism such as internalized racism—have a profound effect on how Midwestern Asian Americans view themselves, as well as how they navigate their place in the Midwest and the nation at large. Ultimately, we will explore how larger forces of racial inequality impact individual ethnic and pan-ethnic identity-making.

 

Historical Background on the Model Minority Stereotype by Ash Errichiello, APIDA Student Specialist, IU Indianapolis

 

 

 

 

Civic Engagement by Samantha Huang, Masters Student, Higher Education and Student Affairs

 

 

 

 

 

Identity and Our Lived Experiences by Jonathan Kang, Ph.D. Student, Department of Counseling Psychology

What is the "Retracing Our Roots" Retreat?

We are inviting students of Asian American and Pacific Islander backgrounds who are interested in examining issues in identity, ethnicity, and citizenship in the American experience through roundtable discussions, outdoor activities, and workshops.

This free retreat is meant to have the participants think about and investigate the aspects of identity, a diverse space experienced by so many individuals from immigrant and minority backgrounds, and certainly by many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. We want to provide participants an opportunity to understand the intersections of identity and culture, to find a place of comfort in situations that may be uncomfortable, and to discover self-empowerment through knowledge and affirmation.

Hear from Previous Participants:

[The retreat] drove home for me that we all have different experiences, but that we are all welcome in this community.

Surprisingly, I found out [at the retreat] that, even though we were from different Asian groups, we had really similar experiences in prejudices we faced.

I had such an incredible time at the Retracing Our Roots Retreat last year! My favorite part was getting to meet and connect with other AAPI students from other IU schools! It was such a safe and comforting environment to learn about your individual identities, hear about other people's experiences, and have those hard conversations. I truly learned so much from the speakers and about my own identities and culture and how they all intersect. I also loved hearing about the history of Asian Americans in the US and how collective action and coalitions have helped build the communities we see today across the US and at all the IU campuses. It really is such a unique and special experience, and not only helped me make some truly lifelong friends, but also taught me a lot of valuable lessons along the way! Would highly recommend taking advantage of this opportunity! 

Participants can Expect:

  1. to meet other students who want to learn about what it means to be an Asian American and/or Pacific Islander
  2. to participate in discussions on relevant issues affecting the AAPI community
  3. to gain mentorship and meaningful exchanges with other students who are involved in the community

Attendees will participate in small group discussions, outdoor activities, and workshops led by educators and students. Featured topics will include:

  • Asian American history
  • Current issues affecting the AAPI community
  • Ethnic identity and culture

This program is FREE! We will cover your meals and transportation to and from Bradford Woods. Due to limited space, we encourage students to apply early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is included under the term Asian American and Pacific Islander?

This includes those who identify as American who are East Asian, Filipino, Pacific Islander, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and/or of mixed heritage that includes an Asian ethnicity.

What type of information do I give under "Ethnicity" on the registration form?

Applicants can list a specific ethnic background if they are comfortable doing so, such as but not limited to Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Guamanian, Hawaiian, Hmong, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Samoan, Singaporean, Sri Lankan, Thai, Tongan, Vietnamese, etc. If you are of mixed heritage, please completely list your various backgrounds separated by commas.