HCSM November Bimonthly Digest 1 November 8, 2006
We hope your academic terms are going well along with your individual organizations. The following digest is abound with events you can attend this month to show your support and educate yourselves about the Hmong culture and community.
REMINDER: Please do not wait, and fill out your Affiliate Membership applications today, and stay informed and connected with HCSM. Start building your network now.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. HCSM Affiliate Membership: Deadline Friday, November 10, 2006
II. University of Wisconsin – River Falls AASA Cultural Fest: Thursday, November 9th, 2006
III. Hamline HSA Craft and Culture Night: Thursday, November 9th, 2006
IV. International Human Rights Hmong Grave Desecration in Thailand: Tuesday, November 14th, 2006
V. “Covert Operation in Laos” Discussion with Roger Warner: Thursday, November 16th, 2006
VI. University of Minnesota HMSA Heritage Day: Saturday, November 18th, 2006
VII. MNSU – Mankato HSA Culture Day: Saturday, November 18th, 2006
VIII. Job Opportunity: Hawthorne Area Community Council Web Designer: Deadline November 15th, 2006
IX. Internship Opportunity: Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC): Deadline November 30th, 2006
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I. HCSM Affiliate Membership: DEADLINE Friday, November 10th, 2006
The HCSM Affiliate Membership Application is available for any college or university interested in networking their respective student organization or any group of interested individuals with HCSM.
Why become a member?
* Obtain information and resources to help you accomplish your goals and benefit your communities at large
* Help educate and advocate for Hmong issues that affect the Hmong community
* Be a part of an intercollegiate network of Affiliate Members
If your respective school was affiliated with HCSM last year, you will have to renew your membership this year. This renewal process is necessary to allow for the most current names of the organization presidents and HCSM school representatives. There is no fee included with the application. Apply TODAY!
For the application, please visit the following link: http://www.hcsmstudents.org/programs/affiliate-membership-application-form/ . It is preferred that you fill out an online version of the application form. (You may also download the Word format of the application form on our website if you prefer.)
Questions and paper applications can be e-mailed to HCSM at hcsm@hcsmstudents.org .
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II. University of Wisconsin – River Falls AASA Cultural Fest: November 9th, 2006
The University of Wisconsin – River Falls invites you to the Asian American Student Association’s (AASA) 5th Annual Cultural Fest.
There will be many door prizes and performances during this event. AASA will be giving away a set of Dr. Tom movies as well as books and other crafty artifacts. Also, don’t miss out on the live Hmong band “Watching Leona.”
Features: Fashion Show, Traditional dancing, Talent show, and singing
When: Thursday, November 9th, 2007 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Where: Rodli River Room (UW-River Falls, WI)
For more information, please contact Xou Thao (xou.thao@uwrf.edu ).
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III. Hamline HSA’s Craft and Culture Night: November 9 th, 2006
You are invited to…
Hamline University’s Hmong Student Association’s (HSA) Craft and Culture Night
Featuring: live music, performers, artwork, and much more….
When: Thursday, Nov. 9, 2006 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Where: Student Center Lobby, Hamline (1536 Hewitt Ave St. Paul, MN)
Contact info: 651.523.4476
Come and enjoy a night of live performances, artwork, and food on this day of HSA Craft and Culture night at Hamline University. Don’t miss out!
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IV. International Human Rights: Hmong Grave Desecration in Thailand – Tuesday, November 14th, 2006
Come see the silenced! Let your voice be heard!
Host: Jay Xiong, Mai Der Lee, John Vang, Sandy Yang, & Stefan Olofsson
When: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 from 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Where: Black & Gold Hall inside Buntrock Commons, St. Olaf College
Contact Info Email: hmongdesecration@stolaf.edu
Sponsored by Professor Katherine Tegtmeyer-Pak & St. Olaf Asian Conversation/Asian Studies Department.
Community activist and St. Olaf Alumni Yee Chang ‘93 will lead conversations regarding Hmong graves desecration in Thailand.
A representative from the University of Minnesota Human Rights Program (HRP) will present findings done by HRP Director Dr. Barbara Frey.
Background (Hmong Desecration Committee):
Wat Tham Krabok Monastery was home to some 15,000 Hmong before it was officially announced by the Thai Government to force repatriation against them. In December 2003, the State Department agreed to accept this wave of Hmong as refugees to the United States.
By October of 2005 the WTK was closed, and the Thai Government and property owners begun exhuming many Hmong graves from the area. Approximately 2,000 Hmong refugees were buried at the monastery and as many as half of the graves were exhumed: the corpses were dismembered and the bones carried away to unknown locations for unknown purposes.
According to reliable sources, the organization the Thai commissioned to clear the graves is a Chinese foundation called Bhoti Pavana.
Luckily, we have families who saw this treacherous and graphic digging of Hmong graves, who witnessed the removal of bodies and recorded this heart-wrenching event on videotapes. These inhumane actions carried out after the close of the WTK, by and allowed by the Thai Government, went unjust without the notice and involvement of the relatives of the deceased.
According to eyewitnesses and creditable reports, the Chinese graves were untouched. Many remaining Hmong who live in the periphery of the camp fear the worst to come that all the Hmong graves will be identified and destroyed. The Thai’s actions at WTK are clear violations of its obligations as a
* State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
* The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; and the
* International Covenant on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
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V. “Covert Operation in Laos” Discussion with Roger Warner: Thursday, November 16th, 2006
Concordia University is honored to announce that on Thursday, November 16th, 2006 from 6 - 8 pm in the Pearson Theater, campus of Concordia University-Saint Paul, Roger Warner, author/historian/film maker, will present his latest film and engage in a dialogue with the community.
Roger is the author of “Back Fire,” which was later on republished/renamed “Shooting at the Moon,” “Out of Laos” and numerous other articles.
The main feature during Warner’s presentation will be his work related to the COVERT OPERATION in Laos during the 60 - 70s and Bill Lair, the CIA official who had played a major part in connecting with the Hmong and other Royal Lao military personnel back then.
One of Roger’s requests is to engage in a dialogue with young Hmong and Americans on their perspective and knowledge of the secret operation.
For more information, please contact Tzianeng Vang (TVang@csp.edu ) or at (651) 603-6337.
RSVP is not necessary, but would be appreciated.
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VI. University of Minnesota HMSA Heritage Day: Saturday, November 18th, 2006
Do you know your Heritage?
Heritage 2006 is an event filled with Hmong culture, a dinner and a guest speaker including a dance featuring The Souvenir Band, all for FREE! Bring family and friends and their friend’s friends! Even wear your Hmong clothes or anything culturally meaningful to you!
Again, this event is open to EVERYONE!!! That means, both non UofM and UofM students!!! So please invite your younger siblings and FAMILY as well!!
Theme: Ib Tiam Dhau Ib Tiam: Generation After Generation
When: November 18, 2006 from 4:30-10:00 pm
18+ Dance from 8:00-10:00 pm—FREE!!
Bring your I.D. (state or college) for entrance to dance! UofM policy
Where: North Star Ballroom - St. Paul Student Center (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities)
2017 Buford Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108
For more information, please contact: Yeng Moua at moua0119@umn.edu
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VII. Minnesota State University, Mankato HSA Culture Day: Saturday, November 18th, 2006
The Hmong Student Association (HSA) invites you to join them during their Culture Day.
What: Hmong Student Association (HSA) Culture Day
When: Saturday, November 18th, 2006
2:00 – 5:00 p.m. (Event & Culture Show –$5.00 in advance, $6.00 at the door)
7:00 – 11:00 p.m. (D.J. Party with “Kind Beat” – $3.00 per person or $5.00 a couple)
Where: Centennial Student Union Ballroom (CSU)
Others: Traditional Hmong foods “All You Can Eat”
For more information, contact Sang Yang at sang.yang@mnsu.edu or at (651) 442-4648. You can also view the flyer for this event on our main HCSM website.
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VIII. Job Opportunity: Hawthorne Area Community Council Web Designer: Deadline November 15th, 2006
The Hawthorne Area Community Council is looking for a contractor to design the Hawthorne Website at http://www.hawthornecommunity.org
If you have good work skills, a good track record with meeting website design deadlines and understand issues in grassroots non-profit website design, they’d like to talk with you. They’d like to get the new website up by January 2007.
Designers will be paid upon successful completion of the project.
A grassroots non-profit organization based in North Minneapolis serving the Hawthorne neighborhood, the mission of the Hawthorne Area Community Council is to improve the quality of life in the Hawthorne neighborhood through empowering the residents in order that they can address the physical, cultural, social and economic needs of the community.
If you’re interested in the opportunity, e-mail bworra@hawthornecommunity.org with your rates and a total estimate of your projected cost, a basic 1-2 page proposal of how you would approach the project, and your projected timeline.
They would like to get a contractor finalized by November 15th. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Bryan Thao Worra.
Bryan Thao Worra
Communications Director
Hawthorne Area Community Council
2944 Emerson Ave. N
Minneapolis, MN 55411
bworra@hawthornecommunity.org
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IX. Internship Opportunity: Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC)—Deadline November 30th, 2006
The Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC), the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization, seeks to hire two interns beginning January 10th through May 31st, 2007. The interns will assist ELPC staff in promoting a statewide student environmental advocacy network and other key environmental policy issues in Illinois. These are full-time positions.
The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental and legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization. ELPC’s major program areas include: promoting sustainable energy strategies that reduce environmental degradation by encouraging energy efficiency and renewable resource alternatives to nuclear and coal plants; promoting innovative “smart growth” transportation approaches, such as the development of a Midwest high-speed railroad network, that will lead to cleaner air and more jobs; and developing sound environmental management practices that preserve natural resources and improve the quality of life in our communities. ELPC was established in 1993 and has an annual budget of $3.1 million.
Responsibilities: The intern will meet with student environmental groups at colleges and universities in Illinois to encourage the building of a statewide environmental organization. In addition, interns work with ELPC policy advocates on current statewide, regional and national campaigns as needed. Responsibilities will include public education and outreach, policy research and development, policy advocacy and grassroots organizing. This position requires occasional travel throughout the Midwest.
Qualifications: Candidates should have strong academic records, excellent oral communication and writing skills, strong analytic abilities and a demonstrated interest in public interest and environmental advocacy.
Salary: The salary is $3,000 per semester.
Application Process: Applicants should send a cover letter and resume no later than November 31 to: Nancy Wagner, Senior Policy Advocate, Environmental Law and Policy Center, 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60601 Email: nwagner@elpc.org Fax: (312) 795-3730. Telephone inquiries are discouraged. The Environmental Law and Policy Center is an equal opportunity employer and is continually seeking to diversify its staff.
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“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” –Warren G. Bennis
HCSM October Bimonthly Digest 2
A quick reminder: the HCSM Affiliate Membership Application is due Friday, November 10th, 2006. Don’t wait til the last minute to submit your application!
Stay safe and Happy Halloween!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. HCSM Affiliate Membership Application Deadline: Friday, November 10th, 2006
II. Carleton & St. Olaf Hmong New Year Festival: Saturday, November 4th, 2006
III. MNSU – Mankato HSA Culture Day: Saturday, November 18th, 2006
IV. International Human Rights Hmong Grave Desecration in Thailand: Tuesday, November 14th, 2006
V. “Covert Operation in Laos” Discussion with Roger Warner: Thursday, November 16th, 2006
VI. Midwest Asian American Students Union (MAASU) Membership
VII. Fellowship Opportunity: Thomas J. Watson Fellowship
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I. HCSM Affiliate Membership Application Deadline: Friday, November 10th, 2006
The HCSM Affiliate Membership Application is available for any college or university interested in networking their respective student organization or any group of interested individuals with HCSM.
Why become a member?
* Obtain information and resources to help you accomplish your goals and benefit your communities at large
* Help educate and advocate for Hmong issues that affect the Hmong community
* Be a part of an intercollegiate network of Affiliate Members
If your respective school was affiliated with HCSM last year, you will have to renew your membership this year. This renewal process is necessary to allow for the most current names of the organization presidents and HCSM school representatives. There is no fee included with the application.
For the application, please visit the following link: http://www.hcsmstudents.org/programs/affiliate-membership-application-form/ . It is preferred that you fill out an online version of the application form. (You may also download the Word format of the application form on our website if you prefer.)
Questions and paper applications can be e-mailed to HCSM at hcsm@hcsmstudents.org .
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II. Carleton & St. Olaf College Hmong New Year Festival: Saturday, November 4th, 2006
The Coalition of Hmong Students (CHS) in collaboration with St. Olaf’s Hmong Culture Outreach (HCO) is pleased to announce their annual Hmong New Year Festival, which will be held in the Great Hall at Carleton College on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The event consists of entertainment, food, and educational booths (exhibit Hmong art, culture, religion, and history) to celebrate the Hmong New Year. Entertainment includes such guests as Kao Kalia Yang (Carleton alumni and writer), Mai Neng Moua (St. Olaf alumni and writer), spoken word artists (e.g., DNT, Billy Yang), a fashion show, and traditional Hmong music and dances.
Everyone is invited! Lunch will be provided, no RSVP is necessary. Please join them in celebrating the festivities of the Hmong New Year.
For more information or questions, please contact CHS Co-chairs, Chai Lee (leec@carleton.edu ) or Casey Yang (yangc@carleton.edu) or HCO Co-chairs, John Vang (vangj@stolaf.edu ) or Seng Moua (mouas@stolaf.edu).
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III. Minnesota State University, Mankato HSA Culture Day: Saturday, November 18th, 2006
The Hmong Student Association (HSA) invites you to join them during their Culture Day.
What: Hmong Student Association (HSA) Culture Day
When: Saturday, November 18th, 2006
2:00 – 5:00 p.m. (Event & Culture Show –$5.00 in advance, $6.00 at the door)
7:00 – 11:00 p.m. (D.J. Party with “Kind Beat” – $3.00 per person or $5.00 a couple)
Where: Centennial Student Union Ballroom (CSU)
Others: Traditional Hmong foods “All You Can Eat”
For more information, contact Sang Yang at sang.yang@mnsu.edu or at (651) 442-4648. You can also view the flyer for this event on our main HCSM website.
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IV. International Human Rights: Hmong Grave Desecration in Thailand – Tuesday, November 14th, 2006
Come see the silenced! Let your voice be heard!
Host: Jay Xiong, Mai Der Lee, John Vang, Sandy Yang, & Stefan Olofsson
When: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 from 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Where: Black & Gold Hall inside Buntrock Commons, St. Olaf College
Contact Info Email: hmongdesecration@stolaf.edu
Sponsored by Professor Katherine Tegtmeyer-Pak & St. Olaf Asian Conversation/Asian Studies Department.
Community activist and St. Olaf Alumni Yee Chang ‘93 will lead conversations regarding Hmong graves desecration in Thailand.
A representative from the University of Minnesota Human Rights Program (HRP) will present findings done by HRP Director Dr. Barbara Frey.
Background (Hmong Desecration Committee):
Wat Tham Krabok Monastery was home to some 15,000 Hmong before it was officially announced by the Thai Government to force repatriation against them. In December 2003, the State Department agreed to accept this wave of Hmong as refugees to the United States.
By October of 2005 the WTK was closed, and the Thai Government and property owners begun exhuming many Hmong graves from the area. Approximately 2,000 Hmong refugees were buried at the monastery and as many as half of the graves were exhumed: the corpses were dismembered and the bones carried away to unknown locations for unknown purposes.
According to reliable sources, the organization the Thai commissioned to clear the graves is a Chinese foundation called Bhoti Pavana.
Luckily, we have families who saw this treacherous and graphic digging of Hmong graves, who witnessed the removal of bodies and recorded this heart-wrenching event on videotapes. These inhumane actions carried out after the close of the WTK, by and allowed by the Thai Government, went unjust without the notice and involvement of the relatives of the deceased.
According to eyewitnesses and creditable reports, the Chinese graves were untouched. Many remaining Hmong who live in the periphery of the camp fear the worst to come that all the Hmong graves will be identified and destroyed. The Thai’s actions at WTK are clear violations of its obligations as a
* State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
* The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; and the
* International Covenant on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
———————————————————————————————————————
V. “Covert Operation in Laos” Discussion with Roger Warner: Thursday, November 16th, 2006 Concordia University, Pearson Theatre
Concordia University is honored to announce that on Thursday, November 16th, 2006 from 6 - 8 pm in the Pearson Theater, campus of Concordia University-Saint Paul, Roger Warner, author/historian/film maker, will present his latest film and engage in a dialogue with the community.
Roger is the author of “Back Fire,” which was later on republished/renamed “Shooting at the Moon,” “Out of Laos” and numerous other articles.
The main feature during Warner’s presentation will be his work related to the COVERT OPERATION in Laos during the 60 - 70s and Bill Lair, the CIA official who had played a major part in connecting with the Hmong and other Royal Lao military personnel back then.
One of Roger’s requests is to engage in a dialogue with young Hmong and Americans on their perspective and knowledge of the secret operation.
For more information, please contact Tzianeng Vang (TVang@csp.edu) or at (651) 603-6337.
RSVP is not necessary, but would be appreciated.
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VI. Midwest Asian American Students Union (MAASU) Membership
Midwest Asian American Students Union (MAASU) is comprised of universities within the Midwest. MAASU holds an annual leadership retreat in the Fall and an annual conference in the Spring. The Leadership Retreat and conference provide an opportunity for students to network and discuss Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) issues. MAASU’s mission is to serve as a resource for APIA student organizations throughout the Midwest, strengthen the APIA community, encourage students to work towards social change, and stand up for their beliefs.
Why should you be a part of MAASU?
The benefits of being a member include national networking with other regional APIA student organizations, national APIA advocacy groups, and active individuals. Your school will also receive MAASU newsletters each semester, access to the MAASU listserv, online resources, discounted registration fees, and voting privileges per school. In addition, your school will be able to bid to host either the Leadership Retreat or the Spring Conference. Membership for the academic year is $60.00. A special membership rate is offered to schools that have not been members for the past two years. You can access the membership application at http://www.maasu.org/membership.html.
The next upcoming event is the MAASU Fall Leadership Retreat at Eastern Illinois University from November 10-11, 2006. The theme of this year’s retreat is “Excuse me, who are you?” The goal of the Leadership Retreat is to provide APIA students with the skills, and knowledge that are necessary to becoming a better leader in their organization, on their respective campuses, and in the real world.
If you would like more information, please contact Sia Moua (moua_s@denison.edu) or Jessica Yang ( yangjg@muohio.edu) with any questions you may have. For the most up-to-date information, please visit their website, www.maasu.org.
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VII. Fellowship Opportunity: Thomas J. Watson Fellowship
The Watson Fellowship is a “one year grant for independent study and travel outside the United States awarded to graduating college seniors nominated by participating institutions.”
You are eligible to apply for the Watson if your college or university is a participating institution, if you are a graduating senior, and if your school has nominated you. Please check their website at ww.watsonfellowship.org for a complete list of participating schools and Watson liaisons.
For more information, you can visit the Watson Fellowship website at www.watsonfellowship.org.
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“It’s not who you are that holds you back, it’s who you think you’re not.” –Unknown