Honor Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month with PBS Wisconsin

May 3, 2024 Mike Devine Leave a Comment

Honor Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month this May by learning about an expansive range of cultures, identities and lands.

A formal commitment to recognizing the past of Asian Americans and Hmong Americans was put into effect this spring when Gov. Tony Evers signed Wisconsin Act 266 into law, a bipartisan bill requiring education in public schools on the contributions and history of Hmong Americans and Asian Americans.

PBS Wisconsin is proud to share stories this month and throughout the year of important AANHPI Wisconsinites and their communities. PBS Wisconsin Education produces and shares free-to-use, Wisconsin-focused educational media for grades PreK-12 and anyone else interested in learning more.

Hmong Wausau Festival | Wisconsin Life

At the Hmong Wausau Festival, Wisconsin Life host Angela Fitzgerald enjoys food, sport tournaments and dance competitions. She chats with the director of the Hmong American Center, Yee Leng Xiong.

Joe Bee Xiong: War to Peace | Wisconsin Biographies

From growing up in a mountain village in Laos, to serving as a child soldier during the Vietnam War, to making a new home in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, as a refugee in the 1980s, Joe Bee Xiong’s journey connects many places and people. He served on the Eau Claire City Council as the first Hmong American elected to public office, and his active participation in building cultural bridges in his community made him a role model.

Maa Vue | Re/sound: Songs of Wisconsin

Maa Vue is a singer/songwriter who creates music in the Hmong language. In her journey as a musician, she draws from her emotions while celebrating her culture and challenging expectations.

MalyMade | Wisconsin Life

Maly Vang is a self-taught macramé artist who uses her skills to create Hmong-inspired works of art. She learned how to create macramé by watching tutorial videos on YouTube. She sells her work online through her business malyMADE, with many pieces selling out within minutes of going on sale.

Yia Vang | Union Hmong Kitchen | Wisconsin Foodie

Chef Yia Vang runs Union Hmong Kitchen in Graze Provisions + Libations food hall in Minneapolis. Vang’s goal is to make Hmong food more approachable for American diners while also paying homage to his family and their history. Wisconsin Foodie host Luke Zahm joins chef Vang at his new concept, Vinai, and hopes to bring Vang back to Wisconsin to cook at Owl Farm.

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