A 2,500-square-foot exhibition, "We Are Hmong/Peb Yog Hmoob," timed for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the beginning of Hmong migration to Minnesota, is planned to open on March 7, 2015 and will run through November 29, 2015.
The Hmong Oral History Project aims to document Hmong stories and perspectives and for these interviews to be used as a resource for the We Are Hmong exhibit. MNHS worked with Mitch Lee, director of St. Paul's Hmong Broadcasting Company (HBC), to interview 10 prominent Hmong individuals. The interviews were created in video format by HBC's film crew. The interviews will be featured on HBC and will also become part of the MNHS collection available online at the Voices of Minnesota website, collections.mnhs.org/voicesofmn/.
This project is a workshop series project aimed to preserve cultural heritage by transferring knowledge on HMong batik and indigo textile art, a traditional practice lost to HMong Minnesotans. Workshops will be led by Artist Ka Oskar Ly, and include HMong elders, youth, families, educators, and broader community members, who will immerse in the HMong batik practice. These sessions will provide valuable insights into shared oral history, symbolism, and techniques, emphasizing comprehension of the entire process and its cultural significance.
This project will create and publish a Hmong Leng children's alphabet book and host a book release community event featuring traditional Hmong Leng music and clothes. The Hmong Leng dialect, also known as Moob Leeg, is an important branch of the Hmong language spoken by Hmong in the United States, Laos, Thailand, and China.
Our book titled Staring Down the Tiger: Stories of Hmong American Women, provides a platform to tell stories of Hmong women—stories that are often left unheard. The collection of the stories in the book were developed during a writing retreat that provided emotional and technical writing support to nearly 30 women. The writing retreat was invaluable in helping non writers uncover and creatively share their stories. We are requesting $5,000 to create a personal development workbook that will supplement the book offering readers their own virtual experience of the writing retreat.
To hire a qualified historian to evaluate the Hoffmann Honey Farm (Janesville Township) for possible inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places
To hire qualified consultants to conduct an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) assessment at the Hokah City Hall/Auditorium, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Hokah city history was put on display with the installation of six historical markers in various locations throughout the city. The markers consist of narrative information and photographs of historically relevant structures. All markers are ADA height, located in high traffic areas and are enhanced, produced and presented under a silicone hardcoat panel. An unveiling ceremony was held in June, 2011.
In May of 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a surprise visit to Smith Foundry, located in the East Phillips neighborhood. The EPA found nine violations of the federal Clean Air Act, including emissions of PM 2.5 and lead at levels two times higher than the state allowed limits. Since the results of this report were uncovered, EPIC has been organizing with community members and a coalition of partners to galvanize the local vitriol in a productive way.
Adrian Holliday is creating a Black/BIPOC led program that shares outdoor and fishing fundamentals for Black, BIPOC and underserved youth through mini camps. The program will offer mini camps to teach outdoor education and safety, nature explorations, and provide an intro to learning how to fish for local kids. The program will offer a safe space for kids to learn from an experienced outdoor/fisherman and gain access to resources and tools that are not often available in these communities.
While Hong De Wu Guan, Inc., will continue and expand its current roster of cultural programs and classes through FY24/25, much of the organization's increasing efforts during the time period of this grant will be towards the successful launch of a 16 week after-school Lion Dance program. This pilot program will be a model upon which all subsequent programs can iterate and expand upon.
The Oshki-Filmmakers Project is a series of film workshops and opportunities for the White Earth Ojibwe Reservation. Focusing on Indigenous youth, these workshops bring established Indigenous filmmakers from across our region together with youth artists to share stories and knowledge as our young artists begin to shape their artistic craft. We provide work space and equipment to empower our youth to share their own stories and those of our community for many generations to come.
Our new project, Honor the Past, Preserve the Future: Hmong 18 Clans Custom and Cultural Preservation Project, is to preserve the history, traditional, and changing lives of the Hmong Minnesotans.
Red Wing Arts will facilitate a collaboration beginning the process of healing the historical trauma that
divides the Dakota and Red Wing residents. Leaders of the Prairie Island Indian Community, Goodhue County
and Red Wing Arts will use the power of the arts to host engagement and cultural education arts experiences
that provide space for healing, improved mental health and connection. A mural designed by tribal members
will be installed in downtown Red Wing will symbolize this initiative.
To document in 10 oral history interviews the history of basketball in and around Minneapolis as a lens onto the issues and dynamics of race/racism, community engagement, politics, unrest, and social change in Minnesota and around the nation.
To hire a qualified historian to complete an evaluation to determine eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places for the District 73 Hopkins School.
To provide structural repair and fire protection to the Hotel Atwater, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, for use as a municipal building.
This project requests funding to conduct and transcribe twelve oral history interviews focusing on the religious experience and interactions among immigrant groups in nine Twin Cities neighborhoods in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
To collect data and conduct oral history interviews on congregations and houses of worship in nine neighborhoods in the Twin Cities near the Mississippi River between 1849-1924.
To hire a qualified consultant to develop architectural drawings and reuse study for the Houston County Courthouse and Jail, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
To provide heritage music and arts programming for school age children at the fair. The Houston County Fair enhanced their sound system and introduced a Polka band. The objective of this project is to enhance the arts with the involvement of the youth and preserve the history of the fair.
To increase and enhance arts and cultural heritage programming at the Houston County Fair. Funds will be used to upgrade an existing stage, install a display case to exhibit artistic and creative works of people with disabilities, and host the Minnesota Scandinavian Ensemble. The Ensemble will educate children and families about Scandinavian music and dances.
To hire a qualified consultant to write a historic structure report for the Houston County Courthouse, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
To engage the residents of Hubbard County in the arts and encourage them to exhibit their work in the Open Class Building. Funds will additionally be used to restore the one room school house.
