To commemorate the 50 years of Hmong in America, please join us for the showing of “Turned 50 in the Chippewa Valley”, a documentary of the lives of five Hmong refugees who came to the Chippewa Valley as children, teenagers, and adults, and turned 50 in the Chippewa Valley. This documentary weaves together personal stories of their journeys to the Chippewa Valley, their resilience, and their hopes for the next 50 years for future Hmong generations.
In addition, Hmong youth will share reflections from participating in the Hmong Refugee Simulation, held in April 2025 by the Hmong 50th Refugee Simulation Committee. This community experience gave participants a glimpse of the hardships Hmong refugees faced when fleeing Laos to refugee camps in Thailand.
The youth will also share what they learned from interviewing their elders about their journeys.
Thursday, September 18, 2025
5:30 pm – 7:30 PM
L.E. Phillip Memorial Public Library Riverview (Room306)
400 Eau Claire St.
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Door opens at 5:30 PM
5:30 – 6:00 Light appetizers
6:00 – 7:00 Program starts
7:00 – 7:15 Questions and answers
Admission is FREE and is open to the community.
Please RSVP via this Facebook event so we can plan accordingly.
This commemoration is more than just showing a documentary, it is a chance for our community to come together to honor the history, resilience, and contributions of the Hmong people in the Chippewa Valley. By reflecting on 50 years of Hmong life in America, we celebrate the stories of survival and strength that shaped our shared community.
The event also bridges generations: Hmong elders share memories of hardship and hope, while Hmong youth reflect on what they’ve learned about their heritage. Together, these voices help preserve history, build cultural understanding, and inspire the next generation.
For the broader community, this is an opportunity to learn about the refugee experience, deepen cross-cultural connections, and recognize the vital role the Hmong community has played—and will continue to play—in enriching the Chippewa Valley.
We hope to see you!