Summary: According to the 2000 census, more than 42,000 Hmong live in Minnesota and the Twin Cities has the largest number of Hmong persons of any metropolitan area in the nation. Dr.Chia Vang (a refugee from Laos, assistant professor of history at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, and author of Hmong in Minnesota) will recount the colorful, intricate history of Hmong Minnesotans, many of whom were forced to flee their homeland of Laos when the communists seized power during the Vietnam War in the mid-70s. Through personal stories from immigrants, Vang will offer a unique perspective into the lives of the Minnesota Hmong population - exploring the immigrants' struggle to adjust to new environments, build communities, maintain cultural practices, and make their mark on government policies and programs today. Presented by The Friends and the Marquette Financial Companies on January 31, 2008.
