Poet and spoken word artist Ka Vang immigrated to the United States from Laos when she was just five years old. Originally a journalist for the Saint Paul Pioneer Press and Chicago Tribune, Vang moved into more creative forms of writing, winning grants including the Asian American Renaissance/Jerome Foundation Artist Career Development grant and Minnesota State Art Board Artist Fellowship.

Here, Vang performs her spoken word piece Extraordinary Hmong and talks about the importance of keeping Hmong traditions alive.

Special Thanks:
Alison Aten
Hmong Village
Minnesota Historical Society Press