Minnesota Humanities Center

Advisory Council

50th Anniversary Recognizing the end of the Vietnam War/Secret War in Laos and Southeast Asia

Advisory Council Sought

The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) is accepting applications to create an Advisory Council on the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary recognizing the end of the Vietnam War/Secret War in Laos and Southeast Asia. MHC will partner with representatives from Cambodian, Lao, Hmong, and Vietnamese communities to leverage their unique skillsets and relationships and drive holistic content development for this commemorative event and additional education programming. MHC is honored to take part in the planning and implementation of a series of events which will commemorate this important anniversary.

Contact Us

For informational and application materials in languages other than English – Khmer, Hmong, Laotian, and/or Vietnamese – please contact Angie Lynch.

About the Advisory Council

The twelve-person Advisory Council — three members each from Cambodian, Lao, Hmong, and Vietnamese communities — will provide insights, guidance, and strategic direction on event programming for the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War/Secret War in Laos and Southeast Asia.

Advisory Council Members

  • Must be Minnesota Residents
  • Will receive a $400 honorarium payment for their participation
  • We anticipate there will be three or fewer mandatory in-person meetings
  • Represent an intergenerational cross-section of each of the four communities
  • Can expect translators, childcare assistance, and transportation support, as needed

Advisory Council Responsibilities

Planning, development, promotion, and implementation of the event(s) and activities will be led by members of each community to help connect with a larger number of communities across Minnesota.

Advisory Council Will:

  • Drive decisions on everything from programmatic themes and content to new partners and communities/venues to host events.
  • Gather and prioritize feedback from each of the four communities.
  • Recommend and/or nominate possible vendors, speakers, panelists, and other partners for the joint commemorative event(s).
  • Offer accountability by questioning assumptions, encouraging best practices, and helping maintain a high standard of quality and integrity. 

Applications

Applications will be accepted from December 6, 2024 to January 6, 2025. Final selections will be made by MHC’s CEO in consultation with representatives from the Minnesota Historical Society.

Key Dates

  • December 6 , 2024 – January 6, 2025 – Applications accepted.
  • January 10, 2025 – Notification of selections sent via email.
  • Mandatory first meeting will be held in January, date to be determined after the Advisory Council is selected.
  • Number and frequency of additional meetings and will be determined with Advisory Council.

About the Commemoration

During the 2024 Minnesota Legislative session, legislators appropriated funding to the MHC, in collaboration with the Minnesota Historical Society, for the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War/Secret War in Laos and Southeast Asia. This commemoration recognizes and honors the contributions of the Cambodian, Hmong, Lao, and Vietnamese families who sought refuge in Minnesota beginning in 1975.

Questions

Questions on applications, role/responsibilities and/or event logistics?

This work is funded in part by the Minnesota Humanities Center with money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

Logo for Minnesota's Clearn Water, Land, & Legacy Amedment.