Hmong center strengthens local bonds
July 11, 2024
| By La Crosse Community Foundation |
Hmong community integral to La Crosse
Mai Tia Yang of the Hmong Cultural & Community Center demonstrates how to use a Hmong corn grinder during the Hmong Education Project.
The Hmong people are an integral part of the greater La Crosse community, and Mai Tia Yang, serving as both a board member and program manager at the Hmong Cultural & Community Center, embodies this connection. Through her and others’ leadership, the center champions a mission to strengthen community bonds through cultural preservation and educational initiatives.
With Hmong American Day celebrated this month, HCCC’s role in fostering an appreciation for diversity and promoting unity is top of mind. The center is a third space where tradition and education converge, and the work that happens in and through it encourages all to build a healthier, stronger community together.
What is the cultural and historical significance of Hmong American Day in Hmong culture?
It has been nearly five decades since the first wave of Hmong arrived in the United States as refugees. Many parents and grandparents cleared the path so that their descendants would have the chance to escape the struggles they had faced and hope for a chance to pursue the American dream. Hmong American Day gives us the chance to honor and remember their sacrifices, hardships, and contributions to contemporary Hmong customs. Both my parents lost their life fighting in the Secret War with the United States, and I am able to recognize and commemorate them on this significant day. This important day in history also gives us a chance to publicly celebrate our ancestry and promote intercultural understanding of our culture. Hmong American Day acknowledges the history, celebrates the present, and — above all — motivates the next generation to continue their cultural heritage. Though the early generation faced great challenges, they persevered for a better opportunity for their children and families. I take pride in my heritage, family, and I am glad to be a part of Hmong American Day.
How can non-Hmong community members celebrate in a respectful and supportive way while avoiding cultural appropriation?
Cultural appropriation occurs when there is a lack of understanding or an inability to fully grasp the cultural meaning of their history. It is not recognizing cultural importance, and it may stereotype a culture and undermine its importance. There are several ways to educate yourself to avoid appropriation.
The American and Hmong relationship started off with a partnership of respect and camaraderie which started with the Vietnam War and continues today. I would recommend before any judgment, learn about Hmong history. Taking the time to educate yourself and understand their sacrifices and contributions during the Vietnam War will prove to you their role in American history.
Seek local Hmong businesses in your area. By purchasing food, clothing, and Hmong crafts, you support the Hmong community and show your appreciation for their heritage and culture.
Familiarize yourself with basic Hmong terms like hello, goodbye and thank you. Greeting someone in their native language may be meaningful and shows appreciation.
Celebrating Hmong American Day with respect and sensitivity is important to create an inclusive community that supports diversity.
In what ways does the Hmong Cultural & Community Center create opportunities to build social capital?
The Hmong Cultural & Community Center creates a community by uniting people with similar circumstances and experiences and creating a friendly atmosphere. Adults 50 years of age and older can join Sapha Café as a support group. The goal of Sapha Café is to establish a support network of Hmong men and women in the La Crosse region who assist one another in overcoming challenges, issues, and hurdles in modern life. Sapha Café was created with the knowledge that older adults could experience solitude due to children moving away and possible health issues. To better meet life’s problems, it is crucial to offer instructional programs on health management and mental health. The group also offers comprehensive emotional support of cultural values and encourages family strengthening. In addition, the program includes activities like camping and connecting to others in support groups in other nonprofit organizations to avoid isolation and to gain emotional support and a sense of empowerment.
Reprinted with permission from the La Crosse Tribune.