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 By Julia Hang
Created in 1993 by leaders throughout the United States, the formation of the Hmong National Development is the result of the Hmong National Planning, Development, and Strategic Steering Project, in place from 1987 to 1993.
Ninety national delegates were elected by Hmong communities across the United States and came together to form this organization as assistance to Hmong communities through a national cooperative effort guided by the National Plan of Action.
Hmong National Development worked to provide national technical assistance to Hmong organizations across the country and in 1995, the first Hmong National Conference (HNC) became a meeting place for academics, practitioners, students, community leaders and community members to come together, exchange knowledge, dialogue on issues within Hmong communities and take steps towards creating services to meet the needs of Hmong families.
HNC is held every year in a different state. This year, it was held in Denver March 27-30. Luckily enough, my spring break at the University of Washington fell perfectly on the dates of the conference. I went with 12 Hmong students and community members as part of the Hmong Association of Washington (HAW). This would be my first trip away from home and an exciting opportunity to meet Hmong leaders from across the nation speaking about Hmong achievements and its future.
This year’s theme, “Choices, Challenges, Consequences: Reflecting on our Past, Creating our Future,” highlights and celebrates the achievements of Hmong around the world and reflects upon the progress, success and contributions Hmong Americans have made in the United States.
On Friday morning, during the opening sessions, we heard welcoming remarks from Maj. Nancy McNally and a speech from keynote speaker, Brig. Gen. Joseph Potter. A veteran, Potter spoke about the significant contributions Hmong soldiers made to the Vietnam War as secret soldiers. This hit back home, as my father and my uncles served as soldiers during the Vietnam War, to hear about the achievements and sacrifices by Hmong soldiers from Potter. I appreciate the opportunities given to myself and other Hmong who are here in America as a result.
After the opening sessions, there were several workshops that I attended concerning social issues, trends and practices within the Hmong community. I attended a workshop that highlighted strategies and tools important to developing successful programs for the Hmong community and the structure of a non-profit organization. I also attended a workshop that addressed the under-represented and lack of adequate participation of Hmong in the political process, an ongoing issue faced in most Hmong communities. As more Hmong youth are involved with the political process, many Hmong communities still struggle to reach out to the older Hmong generation. As a young adult, I learned that being more involved politically is a part of creating my own future and the future of communities.
On the second day, I continued to attend workshops that addressed the issue of how many Hmong Americans are losing aspects of the Hmong culture. I found myself, along with HAW group members, enjoying the workshop about the Hmong traditional wedding ritual.
It never occurred to me, all the little things done at traditional Hmong weddings, those traditions’ amazing stories and the history behind them. Coming out of the workshop, I learned how the groom and his groomsmen would bow several times in respect to the bride’s family as a sign that on that wedding day, they would bow to the heavens and the earth promising that they will cherish and love the bride. Most people would see it as a tedious deed, but understanding its meaning changed my perspective on traditional Hmong weddings.
As a junior at the UW, moving on to my final year, I reflected on my own achievements and realized I still have so much to work towards. It may be just the beginning of my life but as this year’s theme suggested, it will be the choices and challenges that I face today that will determine the consequences and my future — maybe I can one day speak with Hmong leaders in future conferences and inspire others.
Julia Hang is a student at the University of Washington majoring in communication. She can be reached at
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