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.
November 26, 1993 - MPR’s Karen Boothe looks at how the Hmong New Year in Minnesota has practical differences to that of previous celebrations in Laos. Boothe talks with Chong Bee Vang, chairman of event, on how gathering is now an experience of the best of both new and old culture, as the Hmong community adapts to environment in the United States.
January 7, 1994 - Pai Yang wrote a commentary for MPR about what happened when she left Minnesota and went to college at Harvard. Yang reflects on what it means to be Hmong.
March 3, 1994 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki reports on a group of Hmong parents demanding that Saint Paul School District address inadequate education of Asian students. Parents want district to provide Hmong interpreters, teachers, and parent representation.
April 6, 1994 - Two Hmong college students discuss the success of first generation Hmong college students in the United States, and if it will also translate into success for the greater Hmong community.
June 20, 1994 - MPR’s Euan Kerr reports on the Hmong play "Orphan Boy And Dragon Princess" being staged at the History Theatre. The story tells the story of a young man who marries a young woman, unaware that she is a dragon princess. Kerr interviews the actors and directors.
August 24, 1994 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Yee Chang, Pioneer Press library researcher and Hmong Youth Cultural Awareness Project coordinator; and Pang Xiong, a project contributor, about a student written book titled "A Free People: Tracing Our Hmong Roots." Chang and Xiong describe the purpose of book is to better connect young Hmong students and their parents/grandparents through history of Hmong culture.
November 4, 1994 - MPR’s John Rabe talks with Esther Tomljanovich, Minnesota Supreme Court justice, and Kao Ly Ilean Her, the first female Hmong lawyer in state. Justice Tomljanovich and Her discuss the challenges of being a woman in law profession, and of unique needs of Hmong community regarding law.
December 9, 1994 - MPR’s Bob Potter interviews Bea Vue-Benson, the first Hmong female pastor in Minnesota. Vue-Benson talks about the challenges of being a woman public leader. She also speaks on Christianity in the Hmong community.
December 16, 1994 - MPR’s Euan Kerr reports on "My Friend Teng," an Asian Media Access cable TV program where a brother and friends remember the death of Bruce Teng Thao, who was shot and killed while attempting to rob Hampden Food Cooperative in St. Paul.
February 8, 1995 - MPR’s John Biewen reports on Hmong women breaking tradition by going to work, changing the family dynamic. The friction between traditional and new gender roles have led to divorce for some in Hmong community.