The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) proudly recognizes May as Asian and Pacific Islander Minnesotans Heritage Month as proclaimed by Governor Walz to honor the irreplaceable roles they have played in our past and celebrate the valuable contributions of generations who have left an indelible mark on the state’s economy, as well as our culture.

In Minnesota, there are approximately 2,500 Asian Veterans. Also, did you know that Minnesota is home to one of the largest communities of Hmong people in the United States and among our community members include men who fought in the Special Guerrilla Units that supported American troops in the Secret War in Laos; as well as families greatly impacted by the Secret War?

Want to know more about Asian Pacific American history in the U.S. Military?

• Portrait of Asian/Pacific Islander Active Duty Service Members
• Asian Americans in Defense of our Nation
• Special Guerilla Units in the Secret War, Vietnam War
• U.S. Army
• U.S. Coast Guard
• U.S. Navy
• National Guard
• Asian Americans in Aviation - San Diego Air and Space Museum

Celebration events during May

• Saint Paul Public Library hosted events - Activities include dance, music, and author events.
• Hennepin County Public Library hosted events - Activities include live and on-demand events and programs.

To get connected to MDVA employee, Veteran and community resources and arts/cultural organizations, check out these sites.

• Employee Resource Groups - Statewide Employee Resource Groups are intentional groups of employees building a broader culture of inclusion across the state enterprise.
• Asian Pacific American Heritage Month - Asian/Pacific heritage content from the Library of Congress and other participating agencies.
• U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs - Center for Minority Veterans (CMV)
  • CMV’s quarterly newsletter – The Voice
• The MN Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans
• The Coalition of Asian-American Leaders
• Local and national Asian Pacific Islander organizations
• Theater and Museums: Theater Mu, Hmong Museum, Minneapolis Institute of Arts - The Art of Asia, MN Museum of American Art - 1.5 A Southeast Asian Dispora Remix, The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
• MN Media Outlets: Hmong Times, Korean Quarterly, Asian American Press
• Hennepin County Library: Books by Asian American authors who have lived in Minnesota or set their stories in Minnesota (community-created list)

Responding to discrimination
The State of Minnesota would like to hear from Minnesotans who experienced or witnessed discrimination or bias. Individuals can report an incident by submitting an online form or calling the Discrimination Helpline at 1-833-454-0148. The information goes directly to an investigator at the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Translation/interpretation services are available if you call the Discrimination Helpline.

• Filling out the online form does not mean you filed a charge of discrimination. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights will review the information and determine if the reported incident is covered under the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
• This chart explains what happens after an incident is reported.
• If you are the victim of a crime, including a hate crime, or fear for your safety, call 911 immediately.

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Office at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs strives to create and support a workplace where all employees feel they belong. To ask questions, discuss concerns, or give any suggestions for making the workplace more inclusive, please contact the DEI Office at 651-219-0176 or diversity.MDVA@state.mn.us.