After the Vietnam War, many Hmong people found themselves as refugees. The resettlement of some to the United States began in 1975, with multiple waves continuing until 2006. Today Minneapolis-St. Paul is home to the largest urban Hmong population in the world. The Hmong people in Minnesota have developed a strong and vibrant community in their chapter of the immigrant story in America.
November 24, 1989 - MPR’s Chris Tetlin takes a walking audio tour of the Hmong New Year celebration held at St. Paul’s Civic Center.
January 1, 1990 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on issues revolving around ESL langauge learning in the Hmong community. Roberts interviews eductators and advocates on the reasons behind the language problem, and the challenges that result.
July 19, 1990 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on the challenges Southeast Asians face in finding employment and social services in St. Paul. Roberts looks into a city plan that provides better access and avenues for those in the Hmong community to utilize.
July 28, 1990 - MPR’s Mark Heistad interviews Que Vang about the passing of his father. Vang discusses his father’s life and describes cultural elements of the Hmong in regards to death and burial.
July 30, 1990 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on the gathering of over 5,000 Hmong mourners from around the country to honor Major Vang after his death. Olson details the ceremony and the continuing struggle for some Hmong military veterans in adapting to new home in United States.
September 20, 1990 - MPR’s Donna Nicholson reports on the creation of a traditonal Hmong house structure. The house was commisoned by the Minnesota Science Museum and built by several Hmong men in the Wilder Forest. Nicholson describes a ceremony at house after completion.
November 30, 1990 - MPR’s Donna Nicholson reports on Hmong Odyssey: Tradition in Transition, an exhibit opening at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Nicholson interviews curator and intern about cultural significance of exhibit.
February 22, 1991 - MPR’s Kate Smith reports on the play “Hmong Tapestry: Voices from the Cloth” by Jaimie Meyer and Michael Lenzen, and presented by the Hmong American Partnership Youth Program.
March 4, 1991 - MPR’s Tom Fudge reports on a new bill being sponsored at state legislature that would give legal recognition to traditional Hmong marriages. Fudge interviews the politician behind bill and Hmong community leaders about their views and concerns of bill in how it relates to Hmong culture.
April 6, 1991 - MPR’s Maja Beckstrom profiles Next Step classes, where Hmong women learn basic living skills for living in the United States. Reading a map or a clock are new experiences, skills not needed in their pre-literate farming communities in Laos.