Hmong in America

1. Hmong in America Tina Listerud Monica Hage

2. TimeLine of Hmong History • 2700 B.C. –Hmong occupy the Yellow River region of China • 1810 – 1820 A.D – Migrate out of China to Southeast Asia • 1917 – 1922 – The Mad War Led by Pa Chay against French in Laos • 1941-1945 – WWll – Japanese War to Hmong in SE Asia • 1963- 1975 – The Vietnam War and Secret Army in Laos • 1975 – Hmong Refugees move to Thailand camps • 1976 – First Hmong Refugees move to Saint Paul and surrounding areas • 1976 – mid 90’s – Hmong Refugees move to U.S, France, and other Western countries • 1995 – present - Hmong secondary migration to Minnesota from other parts of the U.S • Dec. 17 2003 – U.S Department settlement program for 14,000 Hmong Refugees in WatThamkrabok, Thailand

3. From Yellow River to South East Asia Yellow River Region Southeast Asia

4. The Vietnam War (secret war) Secret war facts Picture of discrimination 1950’s – 1975 The CIA went to Laos to recruit the Hmong to fight against the communists. “The Hmong guerrillas went on rescue missions and defended American outposts using guerilla tactics.” 1975 - U.S. fled the areas of Laos and pulled out leaving the Hmong people subject to chemical warfare and genocide.

5. LONG CHENG • Most important city during the Secret War for the Hmong Guerrillas. • 1962 – 1975 • U.S. supported the Hmong during the war efforts in this city

6. Refugee Camp – WatThamkrabok

7. More on refugee camps • Watthamkrabok was the last refugee camp in Thailand • Hmong that did not flee Laos were sent to re-education camps and served 3-5 years • Others that stayed were tortured and killed and is still going ontoday • http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=nEi_RHsW9Sg&feature=related

8. Hero to the Hmong People • Lee Lue • 1935 – 1969 • Pilot – during secret war • Died in a plane crash that was shot

9. Moving to America and fighting to keep their Culture Alive • Dr. Yang Dao is a community activist for supporting the Hmong culture in The United States • Has done several speeches and wrote several books • First Hmong to obtain a PH.D • Was a teacher for the U of M and Metrostate and did some work in Saint Paul Public schools

10. Traditional culture • Clan based – 18 clans Chang; Chue; Cheng: Fang; Her; Hang; Khang: Kong: Kue; Lee; Lor: Moua; Pha: Thao: Vang: Vue; Xiong: Yang • Man is head of the household • Spiritual people with Shaman • Against the law to commit adultery or get divorced • Known for their stitch work • Do not have weekends or days off usually only celebrate important events • To keep culture alive they hold cultural custom programs

11. Funeral Ceremonies • Traditionally last a week • Currently last over the weekend • Guide spirits back through every place the person lived on Earth until they reach the place of birth • Believe in reincarnation – if your good you come back as a person if you are bad you come back as a plant or an animal. • Bury the dead

12. Marriage Ceremonies • There is a dowry – fee for asking for a hand in marriage; the man asking for marriage has to have the cash readily available. • Different ways to ask for marriage • Elope – if woman leaves then the dowry is lower • Gain family acceptance – traditionally elders will decide if the dowry is the right price and discuss all of the history of the clan the other person comes from. • Arm binding – used in other ceremonies as well to wish good luck • Cannot marry someone that has the same last name but could potentially marry an immediate family member

13. New Year Celebration • Celebrated in Novemeber on Thanksgiving weekend • Young girls stitch their skirts and wear them to the ceremony as a “coming out” stage. • Play the ball toss game • Eat tons of food • Dance and music • Bull fights and cock fights

14. Hmong in Saint Paul and Surrounding Areas Today • Hmong Charter School • Prairie Seeds Academy – on news for expansion • http://www.psak12.org/currentopennings.aspx • Hmong town Market • Business ownership • Clothing lines • Food Market

15. Current Job Positions • Place emphasis on higher Education • Small business owners • No specific Hmong restaurant – just Hmong dishes • No advertising – oral traditions help business grow • Shila Yang – owned photography studio • Khou yang – daycare provider • At market we saw Farmers Insurance agent office and small booths like the farmers market to sell clothing items, movies, and beauty products

16. Biggest struggles for many Hmong in the United States • Culture shock for first wave immigrants • First time seeing snow • Different food and health care • Language barriers • Hmong was not written until the 1950’s • Many Hmong like Shila and Khou know three different languages

17. Clothing Line

18. Trying on Clothes

19. FOOD! Spicy and Healthy • Rainbow of herbs and spices including: chilis, cilantro, ginger, garlic, green onion, mint, fish sauce, oyster sauce and hoisin. • Usually eat white rice, a few vegetable dishes and small portions of meat. Most food is stir fried, boiled or steamed with either vegetable oil or a little pork fat

20. Deep fried fish and pho

21. Papaya Salad and Chicken paw

22. Good Resources for more Information • Tangled threads: A Hmong Girl’s Story by Pegi Shea • Hmong at the Turning Point by Yang Dao • Hmong Cultural Center • Hmongtown Market • Prairie Seeds Academy