Cy Thao

6 Collection Items

• Hmong American artists discuss the roles that art plays for themselves and for the community

  For the 40th anniversary since the first Hmong family settled in Minnesota, MPR’s Tom Weber interviews three Hmong American artists: spoken word and hip hop artist Tou Saiko Lee, painter Cy Thao, and writer Kao Kalia Yang. They discuss the value of the arts, through which personal and cultural pasts are melded with their present lives. 

  Apr. 13, 201543 minSave
• Hmong legislators do not support cultural marriage bill regarding Mej Koob

  MPR’s Toni Randolph reports on a bill making its way through the state Senate that would allow recognition of Hmong cultural marriages by the state of Minnesota. The measure would give the negotiators between families in Hmong cultural weddings the authority to perform legal marriages, but the bill is getting resistance from some Hmong leaders.

  Mar. 20, 2006Save
• Hmong community worried about repercussions after Wisconsin shooting

  MPR’s Brandt Williams reports that court documents filed show the suspect in the six killings in Wisconsin, a 36-year-old Hmong immigrant, told authorities he was called racial slurs and fired upon before he says shot back. Hmong leaders in the Twin Cities gathered today to condemn the shootings and express sympathy for the victims. But some say racial tension between white and Hmong hunters is common.

  Nov. 23, 2004Save
• Cy Thao chronicles Hmong migration in Minneapolis Institute of Arts exhibit

  MPR’s Laura McCallum profiles Cy Thao, a legislator and artist, who has an exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. "The Hmong Migration" is a series of fifty oil paintings by Thao, and represent the unfolding of 5,000 years of Hmong history. Thao said he feels an obligation to tell the Hmong story, and to preserve it for generations.

  May. 21, 2004Save
• Hmong leader General Vang Pao calls for normalization of trade with Laos and cease fire

  MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki reports that Gen. Vang Pao, a former Vietnam-era military leader of CIA sponsored forces in Laos and head of the United Lao Liberation Front made a stark change in his position by saying he'd support normalizing trade relations if Laos improves its conduct on human rights.

  Nov. 27, 2003Save
• Hmong community in Minnesota protest trade relations with Laos

  MPR’s Art Hughes reports on U.S. Ambassador to Laos visiting Minnesota to promote the start of normal trade relations with the communist country. The visit sparked protests, organized primarily by Hmong veterans who sided with the United States during the Vietnam War, but who were driven out when the U.S. withdrew its support. They say opening relations with Laos only rewards a brutal regime.

  May. 7, 2003Save