In this painting, it was the first time I wanted to represent some creatures I had seen on a Vietnamese tapestry. These two tigers or dragons seem to appear from the background itself. The gesture of Mâ is simple – she ties up her belt – but the hanging up emphasizes her surprise. It is like she is in front of a door leading to another world, full of colors and swirls where those two creatures are coming from. Mâ is not afraid because she somehow knows that they only want to play and see what her world looks like. – Ixia

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On December 26th, 2002, Chau Vue and her family were attending the opening day of Fresno’s Hmong New Year festivities. Just outside the gate of the Fresno Fairgrounds, a Hmong gang member in his early twenties joined an argument with other gangsters that culminated in a thrown car club and soda can. Returning from his vehicle with a handgun, he opened fire on his rivals and innocent bystanders, and then fled with his accomplices. Four people were wounded, including Chau Vue, 89 at the time, and her 8-year-old great granddaughter. After a few days, the child and 2 other victims were released from their respective hospitals. Chau, hit in the abdomen, fared worse. The bullet had struck several of her major organs, and even her doctors felt little hope for a woman of her age that had undergone two previous surgeries that same year. With no shortage of family members at her bedside, Chau spent two months in ICU, and miraculously recuperated. The gunman was eventually caught and sentenced to 49 years in prison. At his sentencing, he feigned remorse to his English-speaking judge and jury. Using a Hmong prayer, the gangster invoked his ancestors to cause pain to those who witnessed against him. The families of the victims and those threatened, felt rage at the young man for his crimes and his arrogance. However, Chau felt sadness. When asked by a reporter for what she thought would be justice for the shooter, she humbly expressed that she was an old woman, near the end of her life. She saw a young man, just at the beginning of his, which must spend his most fruitful days in jail instead of enjoying an adulthood of love and family. Chau pitied him for the one mistake that will bring him endless suffering. Her wisdom in forgiveness taught her family the true futility of hurtful feelings like revenge

Story and Photos by Robert Kurtz

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Where is that? I am asked that question just about every time I tell people I am going to Mauritania for the Peace Corps. Well, I am sure you are probably wondering the same thing too. Mauritania, officially known as the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, is a country in North-West Africa. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and is near Morocco. Starting in June of this year, I will be spending 27 months in Mauritania working as Girl’s Education and Empowerment (GEE) Agent.

This year the Hmong National Development (HND), a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., celebrated its 15th year anniversary on March 27th through the 29th, 2008 in Denver, Colorado at the annual Hmong National Conference. Each year, hundreds of scholars, educators, and entrepreneurs from all over the country attend the annual conference to discuss various issues, topics and interests. The Hmong National Conference is just one component of many programs and resources that HND offers. HND also works with local and national organizations, public and private entities, and individuals to promote educational opportunities, to increase community capacity, and to develop resources for the well-being, growth, and full participation of Hmong in society.

HND was the outcome of visionary leaders who had been planning since 1987. HND continues to work and create opportunities that will meet the unique needs of the Hmong today and the needs of the next generations. Its three major priorities are self-sufficiency, education, and resource development.

The 12th annual Hmong National Conference in Detroit, MI was an amazing experience! From the beginning of the conference with Karaoke on Thursday evening, all the great workshops and speakers, the Special Events on Friday night, Saturday’s banquet honoring leaders and contributors in the Hmong communities, and of course the closing plenary session –it was a memorable event I’ll never forget. In the excitement of the HNC outcome, a group of us from different parts of the country: Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Michigan, became friends who shared similar interests) posed here for one last picture. The sun was rising from eastern Windsor, Canada across the Detroit River. The humbling morning illuminated the Marriott Hotel in downtown Detroit where we posed for our most memorable shot. It was 7am, and we had just returned from breakfast at IHOP. Since then, we’ve kept in contact… mostly discussing about our next encounter at the next annual HNC. – Cha Cheng

Click here to watch the HND Banquet Video from this years conference.

Nowadays, the club scene has become a popular and a big trend within the community. It is growing rapidly and has become part of everyone’s daily schedule. You enter a room, have some drinks and dance with strangers. Imagine doing that for the rest of your life? Once in a while is fun, but going like it’s your birthday every day gets repetitive and will eventually become boring. There are some rare events out there that people hear about, but do not take the time to attend. I am talking about live music!

On February 9th, 2008, Evolution Records Entertainment hosted their first event of the year, “The Red Carpet Formal” in Lenoir, North Carolina.

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You know that time of the year when your mom pulls out the luggage of clothes she’s packed away for a year? You know what I’m talking about, the heavy luggage that you secretly hoped had miraculously disappeared in the closet or under the bed? Yes, it’s Hmong New Year and you feel obligated to wear the heavy, burdensome clothes again. We’ve all been there, it doesn’t matter if you’re Green, White, Striped, Black Hmong, or etc. We all go through the same process –the hours of getting everyone dressed and the madness of the mess afterwards. Wouldn’t it just be easier if we could have something simple and fashionable? In answer to that question I created Hmong Reinvented.

Hmong Reinvented is my fashion line of traditional Hmong costumes with a western touch. In keeping with tradition, I left as much of the original silhouette as I could, altering the neckline, the sleeves, the skirt and the layers as I went. In the end we have garments that are clearly Hmong, but very sexy and easy to wear. Not only have I updated traditional Hmong costumes, but I am also putting a little bit of Hmong into ready-to-wear garments.