December 23, 1998
Dear Hmong intellectuals, leaders, and the general public:
On behalf of the Hmong Intellectual Conference Planning Committee, we hereby present you with this conference summary report. With the hard and steady work of the committee, the conference was convened on the 31st of October 1998, at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
This unprecedented conference was attended by approximately one thousand two hundred (1,200) participants from all over the United States, mostly from Wisconsin and Minnesota. It was one of the biggest and most successful Hmong education and leadership conferences in the country. The committee is confident that we have met some major goals by bringing Hmong leaders and intellectuals together, closing the misunderstanding gap between the old and young generations, and reaffirming trust and cooperation between leaders and intellectuals.
The drawback was that the conference planning period was quite short; thus, hindering many others to participate. If there would be another conference, it should allow more planning time so every available interest can participate. However, we hope that this conference has broadened our knowledge on a wide variety of issues and strengthened the Hmong bond. It also presented many great role models for the young Hmong to follow.
There were outstanding remarks by all the speakers and a great deal of useful information at the conference. This report contains only major parts of the conference. Please read them thoroughly and also refer to the videotape for in-depth information. Topics and categories of the conference are broken down on the content page. Samples of exhibits used and discussed in this conference are attached in the appendix section.
As Chairmen, we want to express our sincere gratitude to UW-Stout, our Planning Committee, Honorable General VANG PAO, funding contributors, news media, and all conference participants for making this historic conference possible.
If you are interested to know more about this conference or want to share ideas as to what shall be done or what direction shall be taken from here, feel free to contact us at the above address and telephone numbers.
Sincerely,
Stephen P. Vang, Chair Long Yang, Co-Chair
Introduction
The Hmong Intellectual Conference stemmed from the contemplation of unifying Hmong educators, intellectuals/scholars, and leaders together by Honorable General Vang Pao and some concerned Hmong. The objective of this conference was to promote education, unification, communication, understanding and cooperation between Hmong intellectuals/scholars and leaders so they can better serve the Hmong people now and in the future. The conference was organized by Stephen Vang, Chairperson; and Long Yang, Co-Chairperson; and forty-five Planning and Advisory Committee Members. The conference was held on the 31st of October 1998 at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
The conference's theme was "Hmong Intellectual Unification at the Dawning of the 21st Century". It featured full remarkable day programs and exciting various evening entertainment. Refer to the attached detailed agenda for more information. This conference drew approximately one thousand two hundred (1,200) participants. It was one of the largest and most successful Hmong education and leadership conferences ever held in Wisconsin and perhaps in any other location in the United States. The participants were from all over the United States with the majority from Wisconsin and Minnesota. A small number was from other part of the world such as Canada and France. Their ages were mixed with most of them college students, leaders and parents. Everyone was very pleased with the idea of holding the conference so they can have the opportunity to meet, to get to know each other, and to exchange ideas and perspectives about their lives.
Objectives of the Conference
- To make Hmong intellectuals/scholars and leaders cognizant of problems - both domestic and international - impacting the Hmong.
- To narrow ideological differences by providing an open forum for Hmong intellectuals/scholars and leaders to discuss common education, economic, social and political issues.
- To establish a support network for Hmong intellectuals/scholars to develop and enhance leadership skills.
- To provide role models for young Hmong educators/intellectuals, and future leaders.
Opening Remarks: Stephen Vang, Conference Chairperson
The conference was opened by the welcoming statement of Chairperson Stephen Vang. He welcomed distinguished guests and everyone to the conference. He praised and saluted the Honorable General Vang Pao for great leadership and coming to the conference as keynote speaker. He then went on to explain the purpose of the conference and report the achievements of Hmong education. He then thanked the Planning and Advisory Committees for their efforts on the conference and the many funding contributors for funding the conference.
He summed up the conference into three major points:
- Because the Honorable General Vang Pao has too many commitments which oftentimes hindered him from meeting with intellectuals, this conference was set up so he can participate and address the group.
- Since many Hmong leaders/parents and intellectuals were busy, each does not have the opportunity to meet with the other. As the result, communication and understanding between them sometimes has become an issue. This conference intended to clear this misconception so the Hmong would have better understanding and cooperation among themselves and others.
- This conference was a stepping stone for Hmong educators/intellectuals/scholars to come together to be acquainted and to exchange ideas for common issues affecting the Hmong, so they can better help themselves, the younger ones, parents/leaders, and other Hmong/Laotian throughout the world. Lastly, it was a way for the intellectuals to come to explore ways to establish an organization -- be it education or social/cultural.
Stephen Vang reported that since the Hmong immigrated to the United States in 1975, Hmong have graduated more than one hundred at the doctoral level, more than two hundred in master degrees, and more than two thousands in bachelor degrees, marking the highest success in Hmong history. Everyone in the audience was pleased and cheered. He concluded with the emphasis of "United We Stand, Divided We Fall", and cited an episode of President Abraham Lincoln's speech on how to reconcile. President Lincoln said at his 1861 Inaugural Address:
"Physically speaking, we cannot separate. We cannot remove our respective sections from each other, nor build an impassable wall between them. A husband and wife may be divorced, and go out of the presence and beyond the reach of each other; but the different parts of our country cannot do this... We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection."
Chairperson Stephen Vang urged the Hmong to do the same.
Pathfindings/Slides Presentation: Yuepheng Xiong and Tzexa C. Leee
The main program began by Yuepheng Xiong, a history graduate student from the University of Minnesota, and Tzexa C. Lee, a graduate student in Hmong linguistic from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doing research in China, both have given remarkable Hmong historical accounts, which Yuepheng focused more on the history while Tzexa focused on language and culture. Yuepheng traced the origin of Hmong history from 3000-4000 years ago to the present day. He gave a very helpful link how and when the Hmong were migrating from China toward Southeast Asia, particularly Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and from Laos to the United States. Tzexa gave and insightful account of why and how the Hmong are having different customs and language accents. He suggested that in order for the Hmong to be able to communicate and cooperate more effectively, there should be a simple central or standard Hmong written language so everyone can understand.
Guest Speakers: Tou Herr, Ph.D., Mee Moua, J.D., and Stephen Young, J.D.)
"Reflecting on Hmong Achievement and Their Impact on Current Hmong Leaders and Intellectuals"
Tou Herr, Ph.D., has given a credible speech in trying to bring a close to the gap of misunderstanding between Hmong leaders/parents and educators. He praised the conference Planning Committee for the outstanding conference. He went on to praise and salute General Vang Pao for his great leadership and leading the Hmong through the Vietnam War and to the United States, so the Hmong can have opportunities to get a good education. He assured parents and leaders that:
"Their sons/daughters will support them, care for them, and carry on Hmong name into the future."
"The Role of Hmong Women in the New Age"
Mee Moua, J.D., was another remarkable speaker who brought high emotion to the audience, especially the parents and the veterans by telling an anecdote of war. This story is relevant to many of Hmong. She explained the changing role of the Hmong women in the United States by stating that Hmong women's role has changed a great deal. Instead of working hard in the field, staying home raising children, women in this age have the same opportunity as men to get an education and work to support the families. She suggested that:
"In order to be a successful housewife, a woman must be honest, faithful, and committed to her marriage and her children. On the other hand, a man should be doing the same in order to stabilize the family."
"Working Collaboratively for a Common Goal"
Stephen Young, J.D., addressed the topic of working collaboratively for a common goal. He talked about what is Hmong and being Hmong. He was very pleased to see many Hmong educators/intellectuals and leaders come together. He encouraged both young and old to work together on issues such as education, social and political matters, and collaboration for common cause and goal. He said:
"Working cooperatively is hard, but we must do it."
Updated: February 19, 1999
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