When Minnesota was a new state, thousands of settlers arrived, many of them from Europe. But in recent decades, the state has attracted large numbers of Hmong and Somali refugees. There are also thousands of people from India, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Mexico and the People’s Republic of China living in Minnesota.
The state has become more racially diverse in the last 10 years, and demographers said that's especially true among children. About 83 percent of Minnesotans were white, non-Hispanic for the 2010 census, compared to 88 percent in 2000.
March 31, 1995 - Midday presents a WCAL documentary from The Live of Children series, titled “A Good Hmong Girl.” Documentary explores Hmong girls and women adjusting to life in the United States during the 90s. Topics include struggle against traditional Hmong culture, abuse issues, and depression.
April 3, 1996 - Midday examines Affirmative Action with guests Daniel Farber, University of Minnesota constitutional law professor; and John Skrentny, University of Pennsylvania sociology professor. Guests also answer listeners questions.
May 20, 1996 - State Senator Allan Spear reacts to US Supreme Court decision on a Colorado amendment.
August 5, 1996 - As part of the Voices of Minnesota series, MPR’s Chris Roberts talks with Lee Pao Xiong, Director of the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans. Xiong discusses Hmong history, culture, and Hmong role in Vietnam War.
August 5, 1996 - As part of the Voices of Minnesota series, MPR’s Chris Roberts talks with Lee Pao Xiong, Director of the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans. Xiong discusses further incoming Hmong immigration, social services, clans in the Hmong culture, and Xiong’s viewpoint on the main problems facing Hmong community.
September 11, 1996 - In connection with a local visit of the King and Queen of Sweden, Midday features a program about Sweden and Swedish immigrants to Minnesota. Studio guest is Mariann Tiblin, of the University of Minnesota; and phone guest is professor Byron Nordstrom of Gustavus Adolphus College. Tiblin and Nordstrom talk about Scandinavians and history on settlement in region.
September 25, 1996 - As part of a series on immigrant voices regarding immigration and foreign policy, MPR’s John Rabe interviews Tou Ger Xiong, a Hmong comedian and entertainer.
October 17, 1996 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on growing political involvement in Hmong community. 20+ years after the first Hmong refugees arrived in Minnesota, Hmong voter ranks have grown steadily, and more are involved in politics than ever before.
January 22, 1997 - Many state lawmakers spent a day away from the capitol to gain a closer look at the new federal welfare law and learn the effect on Minnesotans. State Welfare reform is the next step and as Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports, lawmakers, policy analysts and local officials are beginning to see just how far-reaching the changes will be.
January 22, 1997 - MPR's Lorna Benson reports that founders of a new Center for Cross-Cultural Health are hoping to minimize medical anxieties by better preparing Minnesota health care workers trying to deal with a cultural curveball.