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201. Interview with Carlotta F. Arellano

Creator:
Arellano, Carlotta Felix
Date Created:
1975-07-30
Description:
Carlotta Felix Arellano was born in 1905 in Las Petacas, in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico. Her father's name was Juan Francisco Felix, and her mother was Josefa Ramos de Felix. The family immigrated to the United States in 1920, crossing the border by train to El Paso, Texas. She arrived in Arlington, Minn., in 1932 and was living in St. Paul at the time of the interview. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: The Mexican Revolution, including several personal experiences - working in farm fields in Wisconsin and Arlington and Gaylord, Minn. - and St. Paul's West Side community, including her early years here and organizations to which she belonged. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: The interview was done in Spanish and transcribed into English. Most of the tape is slow.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

202. Interview with Carl R. Valdez

Creator:
Valdez, Carl R.
Date Created:
2010-10-19
Description:
Carl R. Valdez was born in the village of Penn Yan, New York. After high school Valdez joined the Air Force as a Russian linguist. He moved to Minnesota to attend Saint Thomas University and later became a school teacher for 22 years. He has worked in the ministry since 1991 working primarily with the Hispanic community. Valdez is married with six daughters. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family background - jobs held - Catholic religion - father's struggles - importance of education - military experience at the Black Sea - traveling - poem writing - Minnesota winter - issues with the Vietnam War - special education - languages - ministry - Mexican American Cultural Center - Latino community - baptism - Comunidad Latina Unida en Servicio - Lake Street with a strong Latino influence - growing Latino population - immigration topic - racial tension - and bilingual Mass.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

203. Interview with Carmen Robles

Creator:
Robles, Carmen
Date Created:
2011-02-05
Description:
Carmen Robles was born in the New York City borough of Brooklyn but grew up in Neillsville, Wisconsin. She went to school at Harvard. Robles has two children and one grandchild. She is the program director for the Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota focusing on Latino outreach. She works primarily with at risk youth through her program Jovenes de Salud (Youth Community Health Workers). SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family - moving as a child - early marriage and children - working for Honeywell, Governor Arne Carlson, and various Latino organizations - her art - travel - being a Latino Republican - working with children - improving communities - perception of the Latino community - contributions by the Latino community to the state. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Along with her interview Carmen includes
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

204. Interview with Chamreun Tan

Creator:
Tan, Chamreun
Date Created:
1992-07-30
Description:
Chamreun Tan primarily grew up in Battambang City in Cambodia. He was working as a police officer in Phnom Penh City on April 17, 1975 when the Khmer Rouge came to power. He became separated from his parents and siblings and was sent to the village Phum Chhouk to work for the Khmer Rouge until 1979. He married in 1981. Tan attempted to leave Cambodia more than once and was sent back, eventually living in Thai refugee camps until coming to the United States in 1984. He has held a variety of jobs here and is currently a financial worker for Ramsey County.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Moving Image
Format:
Oral histories

205. Interview with Chanmany Sysengchanh

Creator:
Sysengchanh, Chanmany
Date Created:
2012-01-29
Description:
Chanmany Sysengchanh was born in 1983 in a refugee camp in Napo, Thailand. His parents were refugees from Laos. At the time of the interview he was working for Saint Cloud University as part of a pre-college program for minorities. Subjects discussed include: Early life and family - coming to Minnesota as an infant - his parents silence about their struggles in Laos and Thailand - living in a large Lao community in south Minneapolis from an early age - going to school, and not speaking English - excelling at school - struggling to identify as Lao or American - working for Saint Cloud State University and the importance of higher education - helping kids get into college - being a positive Asian role model in the school environment - his writing and poetry - being the first in his family to graduate high school - how tempting it was to sell drugs or steal - thinking college was out of his reach - Asians clubs and support groups - his influence on a younger generation of Lao kids - his hope for more Lao civil engagement in the community - being happy that he ended up in Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

206. Interview with Channy Som

Creator:
Som, Channy
Date Created:
1992-08-11
Description:
Channy Som lived in Battambang with her family when the Khmer Rouge came to power. They were made to leave their home and live in the forest before they were separated and put into work camps. She now lives in St. Paul with two siblings and works in catering. One sister is in a refugee camp in Thailand and two others are still in Cambodia with their father.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Moving Image
Format:
Oral histories

207. Interview with Charles Goldfus

Creator:
Goldfus, Charles
Date Created:
1978-05-25 - 1978-05-26
Description:
Charles Goldfus was born Oct. 1, 1897, in north Minneapolis. Both parents were from Lithuania. In 1929 he married Sylvia Jacobs of St. Paul. Goldfus opened a liquor store in downtown Minneapolis in 1934, and in the 1940s he became a partner in the Dorset Hansen Catering Company. In 1947 he sold both businesses and moved to California. At the time of the interview, he and his wife lived in Palm Springs, California. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: His family's house on Lyndale Place, near 6th Avenue North and Lyndale Avenue - many north Minneapolis businesses and people in the Jewish community - receiving liquor license number 1 after the repeal of Prohibition, and opening his liquor store in February of 1934 in the Plymouth Building, 523 Hennepin Avenue - developing his own private brand labels, such as King's Favorite scotch - and entering the catering businesses.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

208. Interview with Cheng-Khee Chee and Sing-Bee Ong

Creator:
Chee, Cheng-Khee
Date Created:
1979-12-07
Description:
Cheng-khee Chee was born in 1934 in a rural village near the city of Xiamen (Amoy), in the Xiangyu District of Fujian Province, China. He attended the village school for four and a half years before his family immigrated to Malaysia in 1948. Chee completed elementary and high school in Penang, Malaysia, and graduated from Nanyang University in Singapore. He arrived at the University of Minnesota in 1962 as a graduate student in library science. He completed a master of arts degree in 1964, and in 1965 he took a position as librarian at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Chee is an active member of the American Watercolor and Midwest Watercolor Societies. He paints in watercolors in both Asian and Western styles, has exhibited in both national and state exhibitions and won numerous awards, including the Gold Medal of Honor from the Allied Artists of American, 1980, and the Colorado Centennial Award from the Rocky Mountain National, 1976. Sing-bee Ong was born in Penang in 1934 of a Chinese family. She and Chee were classmates at Nanyang University. Ong arrived at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, for graduate study in education in 1965. Chee and Ong were married in August of 1965, and all their four children were born in Duluth. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family background in China and Malaysia - Chee's decision to seek professional training in the United States - the later decision of Ong and Chee to remain in the United States and to raise their family in Duluth - their feeling of acceptance by the University community and townspeople - concerns on bringing up children in an area where few other Chinese live - Chee's work and recognition in the field of watercolor painting in addition to his work as librarian. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: The family background of both Chee and Ong illustrates the traditional pattern of emigration from Fujian Province in China to Malaysia. Their later experience also exemplifies the secondary migration from Malaysia to the United States that has occurred among overseas Chinese since the 1950s. Their interview provides material on the experience of Chinese in Minnesota who live outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

209. Interview with Cher Vang

Creator:
Vang, Cher
Date Created:
1992-02-03
Description:
Cher Vang immigrated to the United States from Laos in April, 1976. Currently, Cher Vang is the St. Paul Children's Hospital Hmong parent representative/interpreter. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Cher Vang talks about the immigration of his family to the United States. He describes what he thought life would be like in the U.S. before he arrived. Cher Vang also discusses the importance of his job at St. Paul Children's Hospital and what duties his job entails.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

210. Interview with Chitra Subrahmanian

Creator:
Subrahmanian, Chitra
Date Created:
2001-11-11
Description:
Chitra Subrahmanian was born in India and immigrated with her parents to the U.S. She attended SILC as an older student and now serves as the principal of SILC. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Personal background; participation in SILC; carpooling; experiences as a student; social connections; SILC Achievement Project; SILC Day; Festival of Nations; visits to India; benefits of attendance; experiences as an administrator; comparing and contrasting professional and volunteer administration; focus groups; facilitating knowledge transfer; school board; committee work; preschool program; outreach to adopted children; vision for future.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

211. Interview with Choup Lat

Creator:
Lat, Choup
Date Created:
1992-07-31
Description:
Choup Lat was a farmer in Battambang Province when the Khmer Rouge came to power on April 17, 1975. Along with his wife and children, he was sent to a different village, and forced to work long days with very little food. They arrived at Khao I Dang refugee camp in Thailand in 1979 and came to America shortly thereafter.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Moving Image
Format:
Oral histories

212. Interview with Chris Effrem

Creator:
Effrem, Chris
Date Created:
1994-07-21
Description:
Born in 1924 in Athens, Greece, Chris Effrem came to the United States in the early 1950s. He was a millwork designer and wood carver in Minneapolis, completing over 100,000 carvings for churches. He worked at the University of Minnesota, Aaron Carlson Company, and several furniture and millwork companies before opening his own shop and school, teaching over 5000 students.
Contributing Institution:
American Swedish Institute
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

213. Interview with Concepcion Huerta

Creator:
Huerta, Concepcion
Date Created:
1976-08-03
Description:
Concepcion Huerta was born in Mexico and arrived in Minnesota with her husband, Matias, and their one-year-old daughter, Maria, in June of 1916. Her husband had come to Minnesota under contract to work for the railroad. He later became the first Mexican American drafted in Minnesota - he served in World War I and was discharged in 1918. He later worked for Swift and Company until his retirement. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Concepcion Huerta lived on the West Side since 1916 and insisted that all her ten children learn Spanish. In this interview she talks about their arrival on the West Side - Mexican families who lived in St. Paul in 1916 - early religious services conducted in Spanish at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church - the beginning of the annual Mexican celebrations - and buying groceries without knowing English. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

214. Interview with Constancio F. and Luz A. Argueza

Creator:
Argueza, Luz A.
Date Created:
1978-12-12
Description:
Constancio Argueza was born in 1939 in the Philippines, in Munoz, Nueva Ecija, his mother's home town. He spent his early childhood in Bauang, La Union, at his father's home. His father died when he was six, and his mother died a year later. An only child, Constancio was raised by his father's sister, who took him to Quezon City, near Manila, to attend elementary school. After that he attended the Far Eastern University's Boys High School Department in Manila, and the Far Eastern University Institute of Finance. He majored in accounting and auditing and passed the required examinations to become a certified public accountant. His first job was in a government office, the Bureau of Commerce, where he met his future wife, Luz. After a year and a half in this job he changed to a private firm, the Liberty Insurance Company, before immigrating to the United States in 1972. Luz Argueza was born on February 6, 1941, in Alcala, Pangasinan, in the central Philippines. She attended high school and the Philippines College of Commerce, both in Manila. After graduation she obtained a job in the Bureau of Commerce and later changed to a position in an American firm before the family immigrated to the United States. Luz is also a certified public accountant. The couple was married in 1968, and their two children were born in the Philippines. Soon after their marriage they were urged by Luz's brother, a CPA in San Francisco, to move to the United States. He pointed out that they would qualify for admittance under an immigration preference for professionals. They applied in December of 1968 and were accepted by the United States in 1972. Constancio is a CPA for Honeywell Corporation in Minneapolis, and Luz is a CPA for Good Value Homes in Anoka. Both are active participants in Filipino community organizations in the Twin Cities. Luz is secretary of the Fil-Minnesotan Association, secretary-treasurer of the Filipino Advisory Council, and a board member of the Minnesota Asian American Club. Both have been officers of the Filipino American Club. The Arguezas believe it is very important for their children to appreciate their Filipino heritage, and that the family's participation in Filipino organizations is the best way to attain the appreciation. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: The Arguezas discuss the post-1965 Filipino immigrants, known as the New Immigrants, who are largely professionals. This group has been predominantly doctors and nurses in Minnesota, but a sizeable number of accountants and other professionals have also settled in the state. The Arguezas point to greater economic and professional opportunities as the primary motivation for this group's immigration to the United States. They also note the recent efforts of the Marcos government to stem the brain drain" of medical personnel in particular. They discuss the goals and activities of Filipino organizations and also the growing usage of the term "Pilipino" rather than "Filipino" among the recent immigrants. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: The Arguezas are typical of the many young professionals who have immigrated to Minnesota from the Philippines since the liberalization of United States immigration law in 1965. Like the Arguezas
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

215. Interview with Crecencia Rangel

Creator:
Rangel, Crecencia
Date Created:
1975-07-02
Description:
Crecencia Rangel was born in Mexico City in the early 1900s and married in 1921 in Aguascalientes, Mexico. She and her husband settled in St. Paul in 1928 after living in Kansas for some time. She worked in rural and urban Minnesota and was an active member of the Mexican-American community in St. Paul. Subjects discussed include: Early life in Mexico - the Mexican Revolution - working for the railroad in Kansas - work in Minnesota beet fields in Bird Island, Chaska and St. Bonifacius - problems and development of the Mexican-American community in St. Paul - social and religious groups - observance of special days among Mexican Americans - and her husband's appointment as Mexican consul in 1948 and his involvement in community affairs and in handling language problems and Mexican immigrants in St. Paul.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

216. Interview with Cristeta Andrada

Creator:
Andrada, Christeta
Date Created:
1978-10-20
Description:
Cristeta Andrada, a daughter of Benigno and Belen Andrada of Richfield, Minnesota, was born in 1964. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Growing up as a second-generation Filipino - the importance of family and the Filipino community in the Twin Cities - and discrimination. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Andrada's sister Marietta was also interviewed for this oral history project.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

217. Interview with Cy Thao

Creator:
Thao, Cy
Date Created:
2014
Description:
Interview with Cy Thao in which he describes his work as a former Minnesota State Representative, his efforts as a Hmong business entrepreneur and artist and a co-founder of the Center for Hmong Arts and Talents.
Contributing Institution:
Center for Hmong Studies
Type:
Moving Image
Format:
Oral histories

218. Interview with Dai Thao

Creator:
Thoa, Dai
Date Created:
2014
Description:
Interview with Dai Thao in which he describes his work as a St. Paul City Council Member, Ward 1 in St. Paul.
Contributing Institution:
Center for Hmong Studies
Type:
Moving Image
Format:
Oral histories

219. Interview with David B. Limon

Creator:
Limon, David B.
Date Created:
1975-08-05
Description:
David B. Limon was born in 1886 in Encarnacion de Diaz, Jalisco, Mexico. He came to the United States in 1913, arrived in St. Paul in 1923 and worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad for thirty-eight years, retiring in 1961. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: His work for the railroad - picking cotton in Texas - Mexican remedies for physical ailments - his home and family life - and advice for others. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish, transcribed into English.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

220. Interview with David Ramirez

Creator:
Ramirez, David
Date Created:
7/22/75
Description:
David Ramirez was born in 1936 in North Dakota, delivered by his father in a chicken coop. His parents had come to the United States in the 1920s, and the family came to Minnesota in 1936. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in humanities and did graduate work at the university in industrial relations. At the time of the interview he was director of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department, in charge of La Voz, a monthly bilingual publication, a professional photographer, and producer of a radio program. Subjects discussed include: Personal history including education, the armed services, and employment - community involvement - La Voz - racial discrimination - ethnic activism in Minneapolis - and the meaning of Chicano.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

221. Interview with Deepak Nath

Creator:
Nath, Deepak
Date Created:
1997-03-20
Description:
Deepak Nath was born in the U.S. His parents emigrated from India in the 1960s. He attended school in Minnesota and college in Massachusetts. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Parents, familiarity with parents' language, childhood memories, socializing with other Indians, maintaining ties to India - family values - discrimination, high school memories, religion, future plans, travels to India, Indian films - Babson Dance Ensemble (Massachusetts) - college life and experiences - balancing Western and Indian cultures, advantages and disadvantages of being a child of immigrant parents.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

222. Interview with Deep Shikha Gupta

Creator:
Gupta, Deep Shikha
Date Created:
2005-06-23
Description:
Deep Shikha Gupta came to Minnesota in 1986 and completed her PhD in economics. She became involved with the School of India for Languages and Culture [SILC] and also the India Association of Minnesota [IAM]. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Growing up in India - having an arranged marriage - teaching economics - moving to the United States and completing her PhD in addition to raising two children - meeting other Indians in the community - involvement in SILC - involvement in IAM and participation in events such as India Day - personal rewards of involvement in IAM and problems faced by the Indian community - impact of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the Indian community - controversial issues faced by IAM - membership and future of IAM - second-generation Indian-Americans and identity issues - gender inequality in India and in the United States - and opportunities for women in the United States.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

223. Interview with De los Reyes Family

Creator:
De Los Reyes, Carl
Date Created:
1979-03-16
Description:
The De los Reyes children: Carl (born in 1959), Alfredo (1961), Gene (1962), Nelson (1964), Marie-Rose (1965), and John (1969?). All were born in Manila, Philippines, except for John. The family moved to Seattle in 1968 and to Minnesota in 1969. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Fil-Minnesotan meetings and activities - importance of family and respect for parents.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

224. Interview with Diana Villarreal

Creator:
Villarreal, Diana
Date Created:
1976-08-06
Description:
Diana Villarreal was born in Texas in 1928 and moved to Minnesota in 1955. She is president of the Spanish Speaking Cultural Club, which was formed in 1971 by about four people and grew to a membership of about 25 within its first few years. Subjects discussed include: The Spanish Speaking Cultural Club's philosophies, financing, meetings, goals, activities and plans for the future - her activities since coming into the community - and the ways in which the activities led to her involvement with the club. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Tape speed vacillated in sections, resulting in poor voice reproduction but not severely hampering comprehensibility.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

225. Interview with Dilip Mallick

Creator:
Mallick, Dilip
Date Created:
2005-05-23
Description:
Dilip Mallick immigrated to Minnesota in 1985 and became involved with the India Association of Minnesota [IAM] shortly thereafter. He became president of the organization in 2005. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family - education and working in India - immigrating to the United States and finding a job - getting married - initial involvement in IAM - mission statement of IAM - serving on the board of IAM - coordinating service projects such as fundraisers for environmental disasters - providing humanitarian aid to India - funding process and role of non-governmental organizations in relief projects - challenges faced by IAM - involvement in the annual India Day event - life in the United States versus life in India - involvement in Bengali Association - IAM member recruitment.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

226. Interview with Dionisa "Nicha" C. Coates

Creator:
Coates, Dionisa Cardenas
Date Created:
1975-07-10
Description:
Dionisa "Nicha" Coates was born in Cambria, Minn., on Oct. 9, 1928. She attended kindergarten in Chaska, Minn., and finished schooling in St. Paul. She worked for the government in Washington, D.C., for three and a half years, then returned to St. Paul. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Experiences of her youth - personal history - the Spanish Speaking Cultural Club - the bilingual/bicultural program in the St. Paul public schools - educational opportunities for young people - organizations she is a
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

227. Interview with Dixie Riley

Creator:
Riley, Dixie
Date Created:
2012-04-25
Description:
Dixie Riley was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1951. She worked for most of her life as a human rights activist. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Dixie's early life and family history - education - growing up in Minnesota - being the only woman in school and at her job - working as a social activist - meeting her husband and adopting his children as her own - being involved in organizations particularly the Nation Organization of Women (NOW) - protesting the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: As Dixie Riley passed away before the interview was to take place Dixie's sister Ellen Riley Miller and her daughters Mary J. Latu, and Helemine Latu narrated on her behalf.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

228. Interview with Dorjee Norbu

Creator:
Norbu, Dorjee T.
Date Created:
2005-09-30
Description:
Dorjee Norbu was born in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. He moved with his family to Mussoorie and then Rajpur. His mother moved to Minnesota in 1992. Norbu and the rest of the family followed in 1996. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Parents, family, school experiences in India and the United States, expectations of Minnesota, first experiences in Minnesota, snow, differences in social relationships between Tibetans and Americans, similarities and differences between Tibetan, Indian, and American culture, making friends, attending college, Tibetan dance group, international students, Tibetan Institute for Performing Arts (TIPA), preserving Tibetan culture, community, challenges, including gangs and violence, differences between adults and adolescents, stereotypes, economic differences within the community, race, working on the Minnesota Tibetan Oral History Project.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

229. Interview with Dr. Abul H. Siddiqui

Creator:
Siddiqui, Dr. Abul Hassan
Date Created:
1994-08-22
Description:
Abul Hasan Siddiqui was born in India. After graduating from medical school in India, he traveled to England and Scotland for research and graduate work. He has worked in several countries, and in the mid-1970s, he accepted employment in the United States. He has retired, but maintains licensure and contact with the medical community. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: His medical education and research - decision to come to the United States - adjustment to life in Minnesota - marriage and family - the Muslim community in the Twin Cities - comparisons between practicing medicine in Saudi Arabia, India and the United States - personal values - multi-generational cohabitation.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

230. Interview with Dr. Bingkun K. Chen

Creator:
Chen, Dr. Bingkun K.
Date Created:
2012-02-03
Description:
Bingkun Chen was born December 4, 1961 in Hegang in Heilongjiang province China. He earned a PhD in pathology from Kochi University in Japan and an MBA from the University of Minnesota. At the time of the interview he was working at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Subjects discussed include: Early life in China - religion - early education and medical school in China and then Germany and Japan - coming to the Minnesota to work for the Mayo Clinic - working for the Mayo Clinic - family in Minnesota - going back to China - living in Rochester, Minnesota - the Chinese community in Rochester - being grateful - diversity.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

231. Interview with Dr. Chia Youyee Vang

Creator:
Vang, Chia Youyee
Date Created:
2014
Description:
Interview with Dr. Chia Youyee Vang in which she describes her work as a professor at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and as the author of ""Reconstructing Community in Diaspora"" and ""Hmong in Minnesota.""
Contributing Institution:
Center for Hmong Studies
Type:
Moving Image
Format:
Oral histories

232. Interview with Dr. Irwin Epstein, United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project Phase 1, St. Paul, Minnesota

Creator:
Epstein, Irwin, 1900-1986
Date Created:
1978-04-04
Description:
Audio file of an interview with Irwin Epstein conducted by Laia Berstein. The interview includes: Epstein's experiences growing up in St. Paul; schooling; religious education; and medical school.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

233. Interview with Dr. Maryam Beltran Shapland

Creator:
Shapland, Dr. Maryam Beltran
Date Created:
2011-01-25
Description:
Maryam Beltran Shapland was born in Quezon City, Philippines. After graduating magna cum laude from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota she went to medical school at the University of Minnesota. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with her husband and two children. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Growing up in the Philippines - education - immigrating and fitting in - theatre - college - multiculturalism - medical research - volunteering - dating and getting married - raising a family - keeping the Filipino languages alive.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

234. Interview with Dr. Tsewang Ngodup

Creator:
Ngodup, Dr. Tsewang
Date Created:
2005-07-24
Description:
Dr. Tsewang Ngodup grew up in Dehra Dun, Uttaranchal, India. He attended high school in Dehra Dun, pre-medical school in Chandigarh, and medical school in Amritsar, India. Ngodup has worked as a doctor in the Tibetan camp of Kollegal in Mysore, Karnataka, India, in Chandigarh, in a missionary hospital in Nepal, in the Tibetan Children's Village (TCV), Dharamsala, and in Minnesota. Ngodup moved to Minnesota in 1997 to continue his medical training. His family followed him in 1999. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Parents, family, being the first generation educated, decision to come to the U.S., family separation, Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota (TAFM), community, Tibetan Association of Minnesota (TAM), challenges, including gangs and violence, similarities and differences between Tibetan, Indian, and American culture, adapting to new culture, Buddhism, working as physician in Minnesota, Tibetan medicine, Tibetan Community Center, Tibetan language classes for youth, preserving culture, His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to Minnesota, future plans for the community, obligations to Tibetans in India and Tibet.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

235. Interview with Dr. Vasant Sukhatme

Creator:
Sukhatme, Dr. Vasant
Date Created:
2004-10-11
Description:
Dr. Vasant Sukhatme was born in India and came to Minnesota in 1978 after finishing his PhD in economics. He became president of the India Association of Minnesota [IAM] in 1996. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Childhood - education - coming to Minnesota - marriage - finding a teaching job at a college - meeting members of the Indian community in the late 1970s - early involvement in IAM - volunteering for the Festival of Nations - reasons for joining the IAM board - activities involved in while serving on the IAM board - the fiftieth anniversary celebration of India's independence - serving as president of IAM - involvement in the Trustee Advisory Council - future vision of IAM - outsourcing - membership of IAM - involvement in the School of India for Languages and Culture [SILC] - second generation Indian-Americans - challenges faced by IAM - politics - service projects, fundraising and volunteer efforts - and future aspirations for projects IAM might take on.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

236. Interview with Dr. Yang Dao

Creator:
Dao, Yang
Date Created:
2015
Description:
Interview with Dr. Yang Dao in which he discusses his work as an educator and his efforts to earn a PhD. He also discusses his work as a member of the National Political Consultive Council of Laos.
Contributing Institution:
Center for Hmong Studies
Type:
Moving Image
Format:
Oral histories

237. Interview with Edgardo E. Rodriguez

Creator:
Rodriguez, Edgardo E.
Date Created:
2010-10-25
Description:
Edgardo E. Rodriguez was born in Puerto Rico. Rodriguez worked at Price Waterhouse as a senior accountant before being lured to International Multifoods as an assistant controller. Once retired, Rodriguez became the treasurer of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Chicano Latino Affairs Council (CLAC). He became involved with communities after joining the Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA), a nonprofit dedicated in helping communities of color with their businesses. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family background - religious influences - financial struggles - education - job history as an accountant - Minnesota weather and ethnic environment - MEDA involvement - Hispanic community and culture - Venezuela - helping Latino businesses - Small Business Champion of the Year for Minnesota and the Midwest - addressing education and documentation for the Latino community - importance of learning English and computer skills for Latinos - music and art - VocalEssence - and community participation.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

238. Interview with Eduardo Martinez-Yrizar

Creator:
Martinez-Yrizar, Eduardo
Date Created:
2011-02-12
Description:
Eduardo was born in a small town in northern Mexico, but grew up in Mexico City. He came to Minnesota to attend graduate school to study animal reproduction. After finishing school and getting married Eduardo and his wife Jill briefly moved back to Mexico City before eventually settling in St. Cloud, Minnesota with their three children. Changing careers he worked his way up in the restaurant business and today is the owner of Mexican Village Too in St. Cloud. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Upbringing - importance of education in his life - moving to Minnesota - meeting his wife, Jill - struggling to get a job - changing careers - being underemployed - opening a restaurant - adjusting to the community - karate - his family - buying Mexican Village Too - the Latino community in St. Cloud - developing, branding, and marketing salsa - giving back to the community.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

239. Interview with Edward P. Schwartz

Creator:
Schwartz, Edward P.
Date Created:
1976-02-25
Description:
Edward P. Schwartz was born in Minneapolis in 1903. He was a newspaper reporter, weekly newspaper publisher and publicist, particularly for show business. He inherited and expanded his father's business (Schwartz Printing and Ad Art Advertising). Schwartz played a leadership role in the Variety Club of the Northwest and the Variety Club Heart Hospital. He was also involved with the fund drive for building Mount Sinai Hospital, with Temple Israel and with Democratic Farmer Labor politics. He was also a founder of the Henry Miller Society. Schwartz and his wife, Mae, were married in 1928, and they have one daughter. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family background - his working career - intermarriage - anti-Semitism in local business and city affairs - the 1930s Depression - Temple Israel - the Variety Club of the Northwest and the founding of the Variety Club Hospital - Mount Sinai Hospital - the 620 Club and other Minneapolis restaurants - DFL politics, Hubert Humphrey's early career - and the Henry Miller Society. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Schwartz bar mitzvahed with Ernie Fliegel, who was also interviewed for this oral history project.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

240. Interview with Eh Thweet

Creator:
Thweet, Eh
Date Created:
2011-05-11
Description:
Eh Thweet was born in Burma in 1986. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Early life - Burmese military burning his village - struggle to pay for school - running from the Burmese army - finding food - landmines - fleeing to Thailand - living in a refugee camp in Thailand - religion - religious persecution - taking children from Burma to Thailand - coming to the United States - working for Catholic Charities - hopes of further education in Minnesota - Karen folktales.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

241. Interview with Elia Dimayuga-Bruggeman

Creator:
Dimayuga-Bruggeman, Elia
Date Created:
2010-11-01
Description:
Elia Dimayuga-Bruggeman was born in the small town of Las Mesas, Mexico. She moved to Sleepy Eye, Minnesota where she married and had three children. Dimayuga-Bruggeman attended Mankato State University to become a teacher. She worked as a Spanish teacher and as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher before pursuing her master's in Spanish Literature and Culture. She continued her education receiving her superintendent's degree and her K-12 principal licensure. She would serve as Dean of Students of Sleepy Eye Public Schools and later as a high school principal. Dimayuga-Bruggeman was the academic dean of Shattuck-St. Mary's private school. She was the Director of Educational Services of the Northwest Suburban School District, and is now Assistant Commissioner of Education to the State of Minnesota. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family background - Bracero Program - farm work - importance of education - financial struggles - Mexican folklore dancing - difference in treatment from being a migrant student to a foreign exchange student - Youth For Understanding - Minnesota winter - English as a Second Language - Latino culture - Minnesota Migrant Program - Hispanic community - racial tensions - student leaders - diversity - cultural center - Chicano Latino Affairs Council - high school graduation rate - and the Chicano Latino Affairs Council. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Transcript is available in both English and Spanish.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

242. Interview with Eloisa Echavez

Creator:
Echavez, Eloisa
Date Created:
2010-11-08
Description:
Eloisa Echavez was born in Colombia as one of five sisters in her family. Echavez received her associate's degree in computer science and learned English through the Colombo Americano program. She completed her master's degree at Augsburg College in education and leadership for administration. She serves as a mentor and leader for the Latino community as director of La Oportunidad. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family - religion - education's importance in her life as well as providing educational opportunities for others - culture - Latino community - leadership - bilingual benefits of learning Spanish and English - inspiration to help struggling Latinos - community programs - and communication for a unified Latino voice.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

243. Interview with Emiliano Chagil

Creator:
Chagil, Emiliano; United States
Date Created:
4/7/2010
Description:
Emiliano Chagil was born in Guatemala in the city of San Lucas Tolimn. Chagil went to college in the city of Solol where he completed his bachelor's degree and later received his engineering degree at the University of San Carlos. He moved to Minnesota in 1980 because of the civil war in Guatemala. He later proved to be an influential leader for Latin communities in Minnesota and Guatemala. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family - Guatemalan community and culture - financial struggles - Mayan and Christian religions - civil unrest - identity - landscape differences of Minnesota and Guatemala - Latino community in Minnesota - immigration - education - and refugees.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

244. Interview with Ernie Fliegel

Creator:
Fliegel, Ernie
Date Created:
5/7/76
Description:
Ernie Fliegel was born in Barlad, Romania, in 1904 and came to the United States in 1910 with his grandmother, mother, brother and sister. (His father was also in this country but had little contact with the family). His mother worked in a New York sweatshop to earn money for their trip to Minneapolis. Fliegel sold newspapers by age seven and later became a professional boxer. He was a contender for the featherweight championship before an eye injury forced him to retire in 1927. He became a fight promoter, traveled with Jack Dempsey and became an owner, with his friend Max Winter, of the 620 Club on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis. He married his wife Eileen in about 1925, and they have one son, Richard. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: His childhood in Romania and Minneapolis - extreme poverty - selling newspapers, including a 1916 strike by newsboys - his amateur and professional boxing career - the 1930s Depression - bootlegging - the 620 Club - the truckers' strike of 1934 - and education. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Fliegel bar mitzvahed with Edward P. Schwartz, who was also interviewed for this oral history project.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

245. Interview with Esiquia S. Monita

Creator:
Monita, Esiquia S.
Date Created:
1975-07-07
Description:
Esiquia Monita was born in Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico, in 1902. In 1906 she crossed the border to El Paso, Texas, with her mother. She grew up in Kansas, working in beet fields. She married once in Kansas and moved with her husband to Chicago. She married again while in Chicago and came to St. Paul with her second husband. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family history - early Mexican settlers in St. Paul - harvesting beets and corn in Kansas, Iowa and Minnesota - her husband's occupations - and food. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish, transcribed into English. Part of the tape is garbled and difficult to understand.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

246. Interview with Esther M. Avaloz

Creator:
Avaloz, Esther M.
Date Created:
1975-07-28
Description:
Esther Avaloz was born February 21, 1911, in Topeka, Kansas. She worked in the fields from the age of eleven and attended school for one year. She lived in Colorado and California and came to Minnesota in 1935, where she met and married Gabriel Avaloz. She has five children. Subjects discussed include: Family history, her own and her husband's - St. Paul's Mexican-American community when she arrived - holidays celebrated by Mexican Americans - weddings and baptisms - and advice to younger generations. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish, transcribed into English.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

247. Interview with Esther Schanfield Rosenbloom

Creator:
Rosenbloom, Esther Schanfield
Date Created:
1976-02-26
Description:
Esther Schanfield's family came to Minneapolis in the early 1900s, prospered and became community leaders. She studied music at the University of Minnesota and the Julliard School of Music in Boston. She married Eli Rosenbloom in 1924, and they had two sons and one daughter. She was involved in the Jewish community's cultural affairs in the 1940s and is an active Zionist whose daughter lives in Israel. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family background - arts in the Jewish community in the 1940s - and her honeymoon tour of the United States and Europe. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In much of the interview Rosenbloom speaks of herself in the third person. She would not discuss her childhood, anti-Semitism or the Depression. Her brother Maurice Schanfield was also interviewed for this oral history project.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

248. Interview with Esther Sirott and Ethel Levy, United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project Phase 1, St. Paul, Minnesota

Creator:
Sirott, Esther, 1908-1993; Levy, Ethel, 1904-1982
Date Created:
1978-05-04
Description:
Audio file of an interview with Esther Sirott and Ethel Levy conducted by Steve Foldes and Shirley Milgren. Esther Sirott was born in Lithuania and settled with her father and brothers on lower West Side of St. Paul. Ethel Levy was born in Iowa and lived briefly on the West Side of St Paul before moving with her family to a dairy farm where her father hired out as a tenant farmer. In the interview, the women discuss life on the West Side of St Paul, including employment opportunities for Jews, Jewish Socialists, keeping kosher, Jewish neighborhoods and social strata and the meaning of Yiddishkite. The interview is part of the United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project, Phase 1. The location of the interview is unknown: the interviewers are Steve Foldes (SF) and Shirley Milgram (SM).A PDF version of the transcript available at http://reflections.mndigital.org/cdm4/pdf-assets/jhs-sirott-levy.pdf
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

249. Interview with Faamati Winey

Creator:
Winey, Faamati
Date Created:
2012-02-28
Description:
Faamati Winey was born in Samoa in 1976. At the time of the interview she was the owner of four Snap Fitness franchises. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Early life and family - education - meeting her husband - her Snap Fitness franchises - coming to Minnesota - languages spoken at home and learning English - Samoan traditions and history - the village she grew up in - Samoan foods - life in Minnesota and life in Samoa - Samoans and rugby, and playing in Minnesota - Samoans and gambling - her passion for camping, mountaineering, and scuba diving and playing sports - her goals for the future climbing Mount Everest and starting a new business.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

250. Interview with Federico Saucedo, Senior

Creator:
Saucedo, Federico Sr.
Date Created:
1975-12-22 - 1977-10-16
Description:
Federico Saucedo, Sr., was born in Real de Catorce, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, in 1891. He came to the United States and settled in St. Paul in 1916. Subjects discussed include: He recalls family history and the Mexican Revolution and discusses early Mexican families in St. Paul and organizations such as the Anahuac Society, El Comite Patriotico, and the Comite de Reconstruccion. He also describes his work in silver and coal mines in Mexico, with a railroad in Illinois, and in a meat-packing company in St. Paul from 1922 to 1952. Note: Interview is in Spanish.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories
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