Hmong Cultural Center teaches Hmong American history to G-E-T 4th graders

LA CROSSE (WKBT)-- Trempealeau Elementary 4th grader Grady Spencer has always wanted to learn more about Hmong culture.

"I always wanted to learn a second language. This is a great opportunity to do that," said Spencer.

On Monday, he and his peers learned about Hmong American history--a story that for many, begins with war.

"It takes their journey from the village of Laos into the jungle during the war where a lot of people are escaping the jungle," program coordinator Mai Tia Yang said.

For most of Wisconsin's Hmong population, American roots were sewn in following the Vietnam war as refugees fleeing persecution from the north Vietnamese army.

For 14 years the Hmong Cultural Center has been teaching Hmong American history to students in the La Crosse school district.

This year other districts like Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau are getting in on the action, traveling to the Hmong Cultural Center for an upfront lesson in history.

For Ma Tia Yang, the stories of war hit the hardest.

"I lost both of my parents during the war. It reminds me how hard they fought as well," she said.

With more than 40,000 Hmong Americans calling Wisconsin home, Yang says it's critical for others to know the history.

"The more the students learn about our culture, our history or the reason why we're here, the less fear that the students get, less racism I believe so too," said Yang.

On Saturday, there will be a Hmong American Celebration Day at the Omni Center from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

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