Hmong American
The Hmong have a rich history as a minority ethnic group originating from China with deep roots in Southeast Asian countries. Beginning in the 1970s following the Vietnam War and Secret War in Laos, waves of Hmong refugees and immigrants found new homes across the United States, including communities in Colorado. They brought with them traditions, stories, and creativity that continue to shape the cultural landscape today.
As the Hmong community in Colorado grows and generations shift, it is important to preserve their stories. CAPU’s work in this storytelling stream includes research, oral history, and Inherited Stories: Contemporary Voices traveling art exhibit. The exhibit interprets traditional Hmong story cloths as modern artworks. Each art piece, created by Hmong artists, reflects an oral history collected from the Hmong community in Colorado.
Community Partners
Sophia Siong (She, Her)
As the eldest daughter to a family of refugees, Sophia carries a strong sense of resilience, cultural pride, and commitment to her community. She is born and raised in Colorado, and a graduate of Regis University with degrees in Biology and Peace and Justice studies specializing in public health, community organizing, and clinical research. As an intern at CAPU she curated the exhibit “Hmong Inherited Stories: Contemporary Voices”. Coming from a Hmong background, Sophia is passionate about uncovering the hidden stories of her community and history through her academic research and artistic work.
Inherited Stories, Contemporary Voices and Colorado Hmong New Year
Storytelling, Memory, and Belonging in the Hmong Diaspora
Stories are carried across generations, in thread, in voice, and in memory. Beginning in the 1970s, waves of Hmong refugees and immigrants found new homes across the United States, including communities in Colorado. They brought with them traditions, stories, and creativity that continue to shape the cultural landscape today.
Inherited Stories, Contemporary Voices is built on an oral history project that collected the experiences and memories of Hmong individuals in the Denver metro area. Inspired by traditional story cloths- textiles created by the Hmong community to pass on folklore- this exhibition traces how this craft can also be used to create a powerful record of displacement, survival, and identity. Through research, interviews, and collaboration with artists and storytellers, these narratives are reimagined in contemporary story cloth forms including digital illustrations and acrylic paintings.
Developed with Hmong community members, artists, and Colorado Asian Pacific United, the exhibition highlights the continuity and transformation of cultural expression. Each piece reflects the Hmong diaspora journey, celebrating resilience and sharing meaning across time and place. Visitors are invited to reflect on the stories we inherit and the new ones we create, weaving community, history, and culture together.
Special thanks to Colorado Asian Pacific United, Regis University, HMAAC, and the Asian Chamber of Commerce. To the 15 storytellers, thank you for graciously sharing your stories, perspectives and experiences. This exhibit would not be possible without your vulnerability, willingness to participate and encouragement throughout the process.
On Hmong American Belonging & Story Cloths
CAPU’s Hmong Storycloths Project is a community-driven initiative that preserves and uplifts the histories of Colorado’s Hmong community through the creation and exhibition of traditional and contemporary paj ntaub, or story cloths. Rooted in oral history, these textiles have long served as a visual archive of migration, resilience, and identity for Hmong people. CAPU is building on this tradition by commissioning artists to interpret Hmong oral histories into new story cloths, as well as clay and polymer artworks that reflect both ancestral experiences and contemporary Hmong narratives.
Colorado Asian Pacific United is currently seeking to travel the Hmong Inherited Stories: Contemporary Voices art exhibition to locations across Colorado in 2026. The exhibition includes framed original artworks, artist bios, narrative art labels written by the artists, an introductory text and poster, and supplemental materials about Sophia’s research as requested. If you have any questions about connecting with Hmong storytelling in Colorado or are interested in hosting the exhibition, please reach out to contact@coloradoasianpacificunited.org
Share your story!
CAPU needs your help to document our API heritage in Colorado. If you have a story to share, please let us know by emailing us at: contact@coloradoasianpacificunited.org
Partners
Hmong American Association of Colorado
The Colorado Health Foundation
AAPI Giving Circle