Sunrise Over Wat Thamkrabok
with Dr. Brian V. Xiong & Marlin L. Heise

History Revealed Series
Thursday, May 12, 2022, 7:00 pm

In partnership with the East Side Freedom Library & Roseville Library
Live presentation on Zoom
Register in advance for this meeting, register on Zoom here.
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For questions, please email events@rchs.com

When Thailand closed refugee camps in December 1992, Wat Thamkrabok (called Tha Ka Bo or Vaj Loog Tsua by Hmong) became a Hmong settlement until the last wave of some 15,000 Hmong refugees were resettled in the United States in 2004-2006. At a 2017 Wat Thamkrabok Reunion in Minnesota held at the East Side Freedom Library, “The Past in the Present: An Exhibition and Reunion Celebration for Hmong Families from Wat Thamkrabok,” hundreds of photos and many items left behind were displayed, including marbles, an armless Barbie doll, two small wooden stools, and a skirt later identified.

“SUNRISE OVER WAT THAMKRABOK: A Photographic Legacy of the Last Hmong American Refugees” is a history told in photographs and stories that encompasses the experiences of Wat Thamkrabok former residents in Minnesota and across the United States. Dr. Brian V. Xiong & Marlin L. Heise will talk about the making of the book and will give insight into the conditions of crowded refugee existence and the lives of our Hmong neighbors before they came to America. 

This book is made possible by Minnesota Humanities Center Legacy Cultural Heritage & Identity Grant, Hmong Archives Wat Thamkrabok Collections, and Hmong Educational Resources Publisher.

Marlin L. Heise began working with a high school student, Chia Thao in May 1981, fostering his connection with Hmong all over the world. In 1982 he lived in Ban Vinai with Chia Thao’s uncle and family. Marlin crossed the Mekong to Vientiane in early 1998 and became connected with Hmong college students that continues. After retiring, he had the opportunity to become involved with the Hmong Archives as its chief volunteer for daily work since it became a nonprofit in February 1999.

Dr. Brian V. Xiong is a Hmong American scholar, researcher, and higher education professional. He is an in-demand, highly sought-after presenter, speaking regularly to various groups of diverse students, faculty, and staff on the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and equal opportunity in higher education. He has served at both, public and private, two-year community colleges and four-year universities.

Dr. Xiong holds a bachelor’s degree in Justice Administration and Sociology from Southwest Minnesota State University, a master’s degree in Multicultural and Ethnic Studies from Minnesota State University-Mankato, and a doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) from MSU-Mankato. Dr. Xiong is a former Page Scholar, Wallin Scholar, Cornwell Scholar, Diversity & Equity Fellow, Chief Diversity Officer & Affirmative Action, and an Advisory Chief Diversity Officer for the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity. He is an active Executive Board member of numerous community services and nonprofit organizations. Dr. Xiong is the author of:

•  A Clan of Our Own: Coming Out Experiences of Gay Hmong Men
• A New Journey: Hmong College Student Experiences
• Puag Thaum Ub: Hmoob Xeem
• Martha L. Zimmerman Paj Ntaub Collection
• Sunrise Over Wat Thamkrabok
• Hmong Teacher Experiences: Voices from the Field