Hmong in Minnesota

After the Secret War, many Hmong migrated around the world. One of the places that the Hmong migrated to in the United States was the Twin Cities (St. Paul and Minneapolis). The Twin Cities in Minnesota is home to the largest Hmong population. There had been an increase of the population by 2010. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, there were only 186, 310 Hmong in America (11).[1] In 2010, this number has increased to 260, 073 Hmong [2]. In the Twin Cities, there are about 64, 422 Hmong.[3] The last wave of Hmong people arrived some years ago when the refugee camps in Thailand closed. There is going to be a continued increase of the Hmong population. This increase is likely due to the closure of the refugee camps in Thailand in 2003, which prompted the last wave of Hmong refugees to the U.S.

Being Hmong AND American?

            The assimilation process in America is crucial in understanding Hmong Shamanism.  As one group assimilates to the dominant culture, they lose some aspects of their heritage culture. In some cases, minority groups may selectively pick aspects of the dominant culture to integrate with their heritage culture. This is important in understanding how assimilation and integration have impacted, changed and sustained aspects of Hmong Shamanism. Hmong Shamanism in America is slightly different from Hmong Shamanism in Thailand and Laos. Because of the new environment, aspects of Hmong Shamanism are changed and will continue to change. This is because the Hmong must change their traditions in order to adapt to this new home.