A hub dedicated to educating, preserving, collecting Hmong cultural heritage

A hub dedicated to educating, preserving, collecting Hmong cultural heritage:

As both an educator and a researcher, I recognize that discussions about the origins of the Hmong people, specifically where our ancestors first came from, reveal many differing accounts, with no single, fully documented history of our beginnings. Instead, our understanding has been carried through myths and folktales passed down across generations. These stories trace our origins back to the creation of the world, thaum ntuj tsim teb raug, and to the time of the great flood, dej nyab ntiaj teb. They form an essential part of Hmong creation narratives, explaining the emergence of our people and clans. Growing up as a Hmong child, listening to these stories shared by my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, I came to notice a recurring theme, Hmong history often feels like a “broken mirror,” with pieces scattered and incomplete.

It is truly an honor to work alongside a group of compassionate and dedicated board members who are committed to preserving what we can for future generations. While we may not be able to repair the broken mirror of our past, we can take meaningful action in the present. Through education, research, collection, preservation, interpretation, and the sharing of materials in all formats created by and about the Hmong people, we can help ensure our stories endure. This is why the mission of the Hmong Education Archives & Library is so vital. It seeks to serve as a repository for HEAL materials in all formats, to preserve and enrich Hmong history and culture, and to provide accessible resources to the public. Additionally, it aims to host an annual conference on Hmong education and history, collaborate with Hmong organizations both in the United States and internationally, foster communication among Hmong communities, document oral histories, and develop programs as identified by the Board of Directors over time.

– Dr. Brian V. Xiong
President
Hmong Education Archives & Library