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.
May 10, 2010 - MPR’s Rupa Shenoy sat down with a dozen of the girls at a Hmong restaurant. The Hmong teenagers from a north Minneapolis neighborhood have spearheaded an effort to help their families communicate better with police. They have a request in to a number of city officials for a Hmong police officer to work the day shift in the area.
June 29, 2010 - MPR’s Laura Yuen profiles Mee Moua, the nation's first Hmong-American elected to a state legislature, who has decided not to run for re-election after serving eight years. Laura Yuen recently talks with Moua to find out what her departure means for the Hmong politics in Minnesota -- and what's next in life for her.
July 9, 2010 - MPR’s Laura Yuen reports that Hmong American farmers are searching for undeveloped farmland in the Twin Cities, fueled by the growing demand for locally grown produce. But Asian growers sometimes encounter hostilities.
August 17, 2010 - With results in from DFL primary election, MPR’s Laura Yuen reports that the Minneosota legislature will be without Hmong lawmakers for first time in 8 years. The upcoming retirements of St. Paul lawmakers Mee Moua and Cy Thao means there won't be a Hmong legislator at the Capitol next session. Yuen examines the future of Hmong politics in Minnesota.
November 30, 2010 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports that 30 years after their initial arrival, poverty for Hmong is still an issue, but rates are down sharply, and life for many is improving. Olson talks with members of Hmong community about reasons behind the change.
January 7, 2011 - Immigrant farmers are fixtures at farmers' markets in the Twin Cities. But they don't sell as much to restaurants, grocery store chains, or direct to consumers through CSAs. In Minnesota, these are barriers that Hmong, Latino and African farmers face as they try to make a living off the land.
January 7, 2011 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Ilean Her, executive director of the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, about the death General Vang Pao. Hmong Americans across the country are mourning the loss of a leader.
January 7, 2011 - MPR’s Dan Olson profiles General Vang Pao, a key U.S. ally during the Vietnam War, who died in California at the age of 81. The military leader is described by admirers as a warrior chieftain of the 18 Hmong clans he helped lead. General Pao was a familiar figure in Minnesota, home to the country's second largest Hmong population, including some of his family members.
January 19, 2011 - MPR’s Jess Mador reports on "The Value of One Life," a photo exhibit at the Minnesota History Center that features Minnesotans who've survived serious illnesses, deadly accidents, even the Holocaust. One of the eight people featured is Koua Fong Lee. The St. Paul man spent more than 2 1/2 years in prison on a conviction of criminal vehicular homicide, after his Toyota Camry was involved in an accident that killed three people and left two others injured.
April 15, 2011 - MPR Presents "Writing Minnesota," a special program highlighting Minnesota writers and authors. Program showcases some of the exciting literary work coming out of the state.