Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to announce the first publication of the Center for Hmong Studies, The Impact of Globalism and Trans-nationalism on the Hmong; Selected Papers from the First International Conference on Hmong Studies.

Since its inception almost five years ago, the Center for Hmong Studies at Concordia University has launched two International Conference on Hmong Studies, hosted more than ten lectures related to the field of Hmong studies, co-produced two film documentaries about the Hmong experiences, initiated a minor in Hmong studies, and hosted Dr. Gary Yia Lee of Australia as our first Scholar-In-Residence and Professor Long Yu-Xiao of Guizhou University as our Fulbright Scholar.  The Center has also signed two Memorandum of Understandings between Guizhou University and Guizhou University for Nationalities.  The MOU opened ways for the Center and these two institutions of higher learning in China to collaborate in the areas of student and scholar exchanges, joint research and publications as well as conference planning.  We have also hosted two trips for students and community members to China.  

The Center for Hmong Studies also maintains a significant library, artifacts and archival collection.  To learn more about the Center for Hmong Studies, please log onto our website at www.csp.edu/hmongcenter.

We are proud of the fact that within a short period of time, we have already made some progress.  There’s still more things to do, but I thought you may want to celebrate our latest milestone.  

Table of Contents

Preface

by Lee Pao Xiong..................................................................................................1

Animal Sacrifice and Social Meanings in Hmong American Funerals

by Vincent K. Her, Ph.D. .....................................................................................3

Effects of Globalization on Hmong Children’s Health in a Thailand Village

by Kathleen A. Culhane-Pera, MD, MA.............................................................13

The Thai-Hmong and Hmong Refugees in Thailand: The Politics of Human Rights

by Lee Lor, MA..................................................................................................31

Leadership Development: A Critical Component to Advancing Hmong Society in the United States

by Mai Moua, PH.D...........................................................................................41

Hmong Culture is Hmong Soul

by Yang Dao, Ph.D.............................................................................................53

Lug Hmoob Ntuj Nrau Tej Lug Ntawv Txais Lug Suav

Tswv Yob Xyooj thiab Sua Yaaj Kunming, China.................................................57

Chinese Loan Words Used in the Hmong Diaspora

by Chue Yo Xiong and Shua Yang.......................................................................61

Ethnic Culture Presentation Coordinated by government and folks in China

by Prof. Yang Zhengwen.....................................................................................65

The Experience of Hmong Americans: Three Decades in Retrospective Review

by Kou Yang, Ed.D.............................................................................................79

The Hmong Mountains: Space and Culture in Northern Thailand

by Dr. Maren Tomforde .....................................................................................95

Transnational Space and Social Memories: Why the Hmong in the Diaspora Cannot Forget Laos?

by Gary Yia Lee, Ph. D.....................................................................................121