Xeng Sue Yang is a Hmong man, 44 years old. He was a soldier for the CIA (1960-1975) and farmer in Laos. Since arriving in the United States in 1979, he has lived in Minneapolis. Presently he is a story teller and a musician. He is married to Khou Xiong Yang. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Xeng Sue Yang talks of his life as a CIA soldier in the Vietnam War and his feelings of patriotism. Tales of adjustment to life in the United States are related as well as observations regarding the differences in the legal systems of the two countries. Xeng Sue Yang concludes the interview with a statement of hope to keep his culture alive. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Interview translated by May Herr.
Tenzin Dolkar was born in Dingri, Tibet. She moved to Nepal when she was young with her family. Dolkar moved to Minnesota in 1993 as part of the United States Tibetan Resettlement Project. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Parents, family, leaving Tibet, living in a Tibetan settlement in Nepal, United States Tibetan Resettlement Project, Tibetan Green Book, deciding to come to the U.S., family separation, coming to the US, challenges, including gangs and violence, community, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, finding work in Minnesota, immigration challenges, caring for ill husband, death of son, Buddhism, opportunities in the U.S., Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), singing. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: This interview was conducted in Tibetan and transcribed in English.
Yang Cha Ying immigrated to the United States on October 7, 1980. Prior to his immigration he was an assistant to the mayor of Por Far, Laos. Yang Cha Ying also served as a soldier from 1950-1953. Currently, he is retired, though he acts as an advisor for the police when making domestic calls. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Yang Cha Ying describes his life in Laos, particularly the time he spent fighting in the wars, in detail. He talks about his adjustment to life in the United States and his role as an advisor for the police in domestic situations, explaining cultural differences. Yang Cha Ying hopes that the youth of his culture will learn to respect the elderly. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Interview translated by May Herr.
Yer Moua is the mother of Mai Neng Moua and is the daughter of Ong Vang. Her maiden clan name is Yer. Her clan is the Vue clan and she married into the Moua clan. She is sixty-five years old, and she has four children, all living. She attended school in the U.S. She has been widowed many years. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1981. She was born in Thab Tam, Xeev Khuam, Laos. She is a White Hmong. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Biographical information and religious affiliation. Childhood-school attendance, duties at home, community service, skills taught, social activities as a child, aspirations as a child. Hmong women's roles-decision making inside and outside of home and clan, women in leadership roles and how they are seen in the community, what women do to support their families, family planning, when women feel respected or disrespected. The war and living in refugee camps-memories of fleeing Laos, of refugee camps, difference in treatment of men and women in the camps. Adjustments since coming to the U.S.-skills needed to adjust, learning English, skills from Laos and Thailand that are adaptable or useable in the U.S., citizenship, leadership roles for women in the U.S. versus Laos, public contributions by Hmong women. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: The interview was conducted predominantly in Hmong. The Hmong transcript and an English translation are bound together for this interview.
Y Nor was 55 years old when the Khmer Rouge regime began in 1975. One of his sons was studying in Europe at the time. He was separated from his two eldest sons and they were killed. Two of his daughters died of illness and starvation. He and his wife and four surviving children were split up at various times in different work camps. Y Nor worked digging canals and building dams and maintaining rice and sugar plantations. He did not receive adequate medical attention for infections. They escaped to Khao I Dang refugee camp, then were transferred to Chonburi camp and then came to Minnesota.
Yoeuth Yan was a student in 1975 when the Khmer Rouge regime began. He was sent out of Battambang City and was not allowed to join his family in Posat Province. He fell ill with malaria while working on the youth mobile team and, after recovering, was able to locate his mother and siblings. He then learned that his father had been taken by the Khmer Rouge and killed. Yan became sick with malaria again, but was still made to work in various camps throughout the regime including a reeducation" camp. After the Vietnamese soldiers arrived in 1979
You Vang Yang is the mother of May Hang and is the daughter of Nhia Vang. Her maiden clan name is Vang and she married into the Yang clan. She is sixty years old and has nine children. She is widowed. She immigrated to the U.S. twenty-four years ago. She was born in Xuv Npuv, Laos. She is a White Hmong by birth, Blue Hmong by marriage. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Biographical information and religious affiliation. Childhood-school attendance, duties at home, community service, skills taught, social activities as a child, aspirations as a child. Hmong women's roles-decision making inside and outside of home and clan, women in leadership roles and how they are seen in the community, what women do to support their families, family planning, when women feel respected or disrespected. The war and living in refugee camps-memories of fleeing Laos, of refugee camps, difference in treatment of men and women in the camps. Adjustments since coming to the U.S.-skills needed to adjust, learning English, skills from Laos and Thailand that are adaptable or useable in the U.S., citizenship, leadership roles for women in the U.S. versus Laos, public contributions by Hmong women. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: All interviews were recorded in Hmong. Transcripts in both English and Hmong are available for each interview.
Yung Lyun Ko arrived in the United States from Korea in 1972. As a young assistant professor at Kun Kook University in Seoul, he had decided to further his career through graduate study in educational statistics at Illinois State University in Bloomington, Illinois. After his family arrived in 1973, however, he could no longer afford to continue his study, and he went to work as an aspiration therapist in a hospital in Chicago. In 1974 Ko and his family moved to Minneapolis after Korean friends persuaded him to do so by saying that the Twin Cities provided a better environment to work and raise a family. Although Ko was a professional in Korea, his training was not transferable to American society, and he had to take a blue-collar job working at Crown Meat Company in Minneapolis. Frustrated by this situation, Ko threw himself into working for the Korean community through the Korean Association of Minnesota. In 1974 he was instrumental in establishing the Korean Institute, a Saturday school for Korean children of immigrants and adoptive parents, where classes in Korean language and culture, as well as social activities, were provided on a weekly basis. In 1979 Ko began a two-year term as president of the Korean Association. He and his family are also active in the Korean United Methodist Church in Oakdale. Shuk Ko arrived with the children in Bloomington, Illinois, in 1973 to join her husband. After they moved to Minnesota she also became active in Korean community organizations in addition to full-time work outside their home. As the wife of the president of the Korean Association she was expected to organize and persuade the women to do much of the work for special events in the Korean community, such as cooking meals for large numbers of people, and arranging children's activities. Shuk and the children are also active in the Korean United Methodist Church. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: The Kos discuss the dynamics of the Korean community in the Twin Cities, and the cultural and religious organizations in the community. They also discuss the problems of childrearing in the immigrant situation and their concern that the children will develop a Korean or Korean-American identity. Yung Lyun discusses special events, such as Korean Day, that are organized annually by the Korean Association, and Shuk describes the changing family structure and extensive work of the women in community activities. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Because he is president of the Korean Association, Yung Lyun Ko is in a position to know a great deal about the Korean community and to provide information on all the community organizations. Shuk Ko is also in a position to know about the contributions of the women to community events and programs.
The Danebo building was expanded adding a north wing in 1961. One of the Danish workman is laying the cornerstone. This building started as Danebo, a home for Danish seniors, and was later repurposed as the Danish American Center in 2005.
Danish Crown Prince Fredrik and Crown Princess Ingrid at Danebo April 22 1939 on the occasion of planting a commemorative tree honoring the Sesquicentennial of the United States. Pictured from left to right: Mr. Andrew N. Johnson Danish Consul General Minneapolis Crown Princess Ingrid Mr. Martin Nelson Crown Prince Frederik Mr. Christian A. Bossen
Groundbreaking for North Wing Expansion at Danebo 1961. This building started as Danebo, a home for seniors in the Danish community, and was later repurposed as a non-profit cultural center known as the Danish American Center in 2005.
Panoramic view of many men and women members and delegates of the Slovene National Benefit Society posing for a group photograph in front of the Eveleth High School in Eveleth, MN. Caption on the photograph reads: "Supreme Board Members And Delegates to 13th Regular Convention of Slovene National Benefit Society Held In Eveleth, Minn. August 12 - 17 - 1946."
Danebo building grounds in winter. This building started as a home for Danish seniors in 1924 and the building of Danebo was later repurposed as a non-profit cultural organization known as the Danish American Center in 2005.
Exterior view of Danebo shortly after it was constructed (the sidewalk in front of the building is not completed). This building started as Danebo, a home for seniors in the Danish community, and was later repurposed as a non-profit cultural center known as the Danish American Center in 2005.
View of Danebo entrance and sign on West River Parkway South . This building started as Danebo, a home for seniors in the Danish community, and was later repurposed as a non-profit cultural center known as the Danish American Center in 2005.
Exterior view of Danebo east side of building taken from West River Parkway South. This building started as Danebo, a home for seniors in the Danish community, and was later repurposed as a non-profit cultural center known as the Danish American Center in 2005.
Danebo home view from West River Parkway South. This building started as Danebo, a home for seniors in the Danish community, and was later repurposed as a non-profit cultural center known as the Danish American Center in 2005.
Exterior view of Danebo east side of building taken from West River Parkway South. This image indicates where new addition adjoins the original building. This building started as Danebo, a home for seniors in the Danish community, and was later repurposed as a non-profit cultural center known as the Danish American Center in 2005.
Construction of the north wing expansion of Danebo in 1961. This building started as Danebo, a home for seniors in the Danish community, and was later repurposed as a non-profit cultural center known as the Danish American Center in 2005.
Exterior view of Danebo east side of building taken from West River Parkway South, This building started as Danebo, a home for seniors in the Danish community, and was later repurposed as a non-profit cultural center known as the Danish American Center in 2005.
This view shows the north side of the Danebo 1961 addition. The building started as Danebo, a home for seniors in the Danish community, and was later repurposed as a non-profit cultural center known as the Danish American Center in 2005.
This view shows the South side of Danebo and fire escape in summer. The building started as Danebo, a home for seniors in the Danish community, and was later repurposed as a non-profit cultural center known as the Danish American Center in 2005.
This view shows the patio and west side of Danebo in summer. The building started as Danebo, a home for seniors in the Danish community, and was later repurposed as a non-profit cultural center known as the Danish American Center in 2005.
