Sok Yorm and Phorm Phrong are a married couple who lived and grew up in Battambang. In 1975, they were farmers and had two children, ages 11 and 12. They were separated by the Khmer Rouge and not allowed to see one another. Mr. Yorm had to bury three dead bodies from their village who were killed by the Khmer Rouge. The family was reunited after the Vietnamese entered Cambodia in 1979 and spent five years in Khao I Dang refugee camp. Their eldest daughter was delayed in coming to America, but they are all now living in Minnesota.
Interview with former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Lawrence Yetka. He was on the Minnesota Supreme Court from 1973 until 1993. Subjects covered: his childhood, lawyers and public service, Hubert Humphrey, political history, and being on the Court. Interviewed by law professor Steve Young.
Interview with former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Lawrence Yetka. He was on the Minnesota Supreme Court from 1973 until 1993. Subjects covered: his father and some history of Cloquet, Minnesota politics in the 1920s-1930s, his time in the Legislature, his years on the Court, his life after leaving the Court, and more political history. Interviewed by attorney Tom Boyd and retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Paul H. Anderson.
Yoeuth Yan was a student in 1975 when the Khmer Rouge regime began. He was sent out of Battambang City and was not allowed to join his family in Posat Province. He fell ill with malaria while working on the youth mobile team and, after recovering, was able to locate his mother and siblings. He then learned that his father had been taken by the Khmer Rouge and killed. Yan became sick with malaria again, but was still made to work in various camps throughout the regime including a reeducation" camp. After the Vietnamese soldiers arrived in 1979
Interview with former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Wahl on her legal and judicial career. E. Wahl was appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 1977 and served until 1994. Subjects discussed: her childhood, family life and education, her early career, and her experiences as a judge. Interviewed by Laura Cooper in Justice Wahl's chambers.
Interview with Xang Vang in which he discusses his work as a CIA operative during the Secret War in Laos 1961-1975 and his work in Minnesota as the Executive Director of the Lao Family Community of Minnesota. He also worked as a Hmong business entrepreneur and one of the first Hmong growers to sell produce at the St. Paul Farmers Market.
Interview with Sai Nou Vang in which he discusses his work as General Vang Pao's personal bodyguard and house manager. He also discusses his role as Captain in the CIA Secret War in Laos 1961-1975.
Interview with Dr. Chia Youyee Vang in which she describes her work as a professor at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and as the author of ""Reconstructing Community in Diaspora"" and ""Hmong in Minnesota.""
Waagosh (Anton Treuer), Bemidji State University Professor of Languages and Ethnic Studies, Indian Studies, and Director of American Indian Resource Center, an enrolled member of the Leech Lake Ojibwe, is speaking Ojibwe in an interview for a television documentary on the history and culture of Lake Superior Anishinaabe. Dr. Treuer stated: "Approximately ten years ago I did not know how to speak Indian. But now when I lay down to sleep in the evening I dream in Indian."
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth Kathryn A. Martin Library, University Archives
Waagosh (Anton Treuer), Bemidji State University Professor of Languages and Ethnic Studies, Indian Studies, and Director of American Indian Resource Center, an enrolled member of the Leech Lake Ojibwe, is speaking Ojibwe in an interview for a television documentary on the history and culture of Lake Superior Anishinaabe. Dr. Treuer stated: "Approximately ten years ago I did not know how to speak Indian. But now when I lay down to sleep in the evening I dream in Indian."
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth Kathryn A. Martin Library, University Archives
Interview with former Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge Edward Toussaint, Jr. on his life and his legal and judicial career. He was appointed to the Minnesota Court of Appeals in 1995, becoming Chief Judge less than a month later. He retired in 2011, then served as a senior judge. The interview covers his family background and education, his early teaching career, law school, segregation and the civil rights movement, being a workers' compensation judge, a district court judge, being appointed to the Court of Appeals and then appointed Chief Judge, and his thoughts about the courts.
Interview with former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Esther Tomljanovich. She was on the Minnesota Supreme Court from 1990 until 1998. Subjects covered: her early life and education, time in the Revisor's Office, appointment to the Tenth Judicial District bench, her time on the Supreme Court and her life after leaving the Court. Interviewed by attorney Tom Boyd and retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Paul H. Anderson.
Interview with former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Esther Tomljanovich. She was on the Minnesota Supreme Court from 1990 until 1998. Subjects covered: her early life, law school,the Revisor of Statutes Office, women in law, being a trial judge and being on the Supreme Court, and her thoughts for her future.
Interview with former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice John J. Todd on his legal and judicial career. John J. Todd was appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 1972 and served until 1985. Subjects discussed: his childhood and family, his legal career, his experiences as a judge, and his life after the Supreme Court. Interviewed by Tom Boyd and Justice Paul Anderson at the studio of Minnesota Continuing Legal Education.
Interview with former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice John J. Todd on his legal and judicial career. John J. Todd was appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 1972 and served until 1985. Subjects discussed: his childhood and family, his legal career, and his experiences as a judge. Interviewed by John Brian at the Minnesota Judicial Center.
Interview with Cy Thao in which he describes his work as a former Minnesota State Representative, his efforts as a Hmong business entrepreneur and artist and a co-founder of the Center for Hmong Arts and Talents.
Chamreun Tan primarily grew up in Battambang City in Cambodia. He was working as a police officer in Phnom Penh City on April 17, 1975 when the Khmer Rouge came to power. He became separated from his parents and siblings and was sent to the village Phum Chhouk to work for the Khmer Rouge until 1979. He married in 1981. Tan attempted to leave Cambodia more than once and was sent back, eventually living in Thai refugee camps until coming to the United States in 1984. He has held a variety of jobs here and is currently a financial worker for Ramsey County.
Magee-Macoons (Robert Strong), enrolled Bois Forte elder is speaking Ojibwe, his first language, in an interview for a television documentary on the history and culture of Lake Superior Anishinaabe. Mr. Strong addresses the importance of the Ojibwe language and its survival for the younger generation. He tells a story in Ojibwe.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth Kathryn A. Martin Library, University Archives
Interview with former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Edward Stringer on his legal and judicial career. Edward C. Stringer was appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 1994. He retired from the Court in 2002 and continued to work as a private attorney until he retired fully in 2011. Subjects discussed: his lawyer ancestors, his legal career, and his experiences as a judge. Interviewed by Tom Boyd and Justice Paul Anderson at the studio of Minnesota Continuing Legal Education.
Enrolled Leech Lake elder Anangookwe (Marlene Stately) is speaking Ojibwe, her first language (transcribed by Nancy Jones), in an interview for a television documentary on the history and culture of Lake Superior Anishinaabe. She has worked at the Arrowhead Community College, teaching Ojibwe language and at Niigane Immersion Schoo, and Bug O Nay Ge Shing School. She states, "Our children come first, so that they can listen to the way we speak."
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth Kathryn A. Martin Library, University Archives
Channy Som lived in Battambang with her family when the Khmer Rouge came to power. They were made to leave their home and live in the forest before they were separated and put into work camps. She now lives in St. Paul with two siblings and works in catering. One sister is in a refugee camp in Thailand and two others are still in Cambodia with their father.
Amik O'Gaabaw (Larry Smallwood), director of language and culture for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and enrolled Mille Lacs elder is speaking Ojibwe, his first language, in an interview (transcribed by Daniel Jones) for a television documentary on the history and culture of Lake Superior Anishinaabe. Mr. Smallwood is often asked to tell stories in Ojibwe. He begins with, ""We have teachings that tell us about the different seasons.""
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth Kathryn A. Martin Library, University Archives
Interview with former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice John Simonett. He was on the Minnesota Supreme Court from 1980 until 1994. Subjects covered: his early life and education, practicing law, and being on the Supreme Court. The interview concludes with some clarifications of names and questions. Interviewed by his daughter, Judge Martha Simonett.
Interview with former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice John Simonett on his legal and judicial career. Simonett was appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 1981 and served until 1994. Subjects discussed: his education and family life, and his experiences as a judge. Interviewed by Tom Boyd and Paul Anderson at the studio of Minnesota Continuing Legal Education.
