ASEAN Language Program Series - Khmu Diaspora Cultural Exchange & Language 101 

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Date & Time

• Date: May 29, 2026

• Time: 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM EDT

• Location: Zoom

 

About the Event

Roots Across Borders is a virtual cultural initiative designed to celebrate the resilient heritage of the Khmu (Kmhmu') people. As the Indigenous natives of Laos, the Khmu historically navigated displacement—first being pushed into mountain regions due to colonization, and later immigrating to the United States as a result of the Vietnam War. Following this displacement, the Khmu National Federation, Inc. (KNF) was formed in 1990 and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1993 to unify a diaspora now totaling approximately 20,000 people. The program bridges ancestral roots with established communities across California (Richmond, Stockton, Fresno, Orange County) and the U.S.

 

Objectives

• Acknowledge Indigenous Roots: Educate participants on the Khmu's status as the native people of Laos and their history of resilience in the highlands.

• Highlight the Diaspora Journey: Map the migration from the Vietnam War to the formation of vibrant communities in California, Washington, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, and Massachusetts.

• Linguistic Preservation: Provide an introductory Khmu Language 101 session to showcase language as a vehicle for culture and identity.

• Organizational Advocacy: Advertise the mission of the Khmu National Federation (KNF) as a hub for cultural preservation through food, music, and art.

• Intergenerational Connection: Demonstrate how strengthening ties between elders and youth helps address modern cultural and ethnic barriers.

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Partner Organization Bios & Profiles

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Khmu National Federation, Inc. (KNF)

Formed in 1990 and incorporated in 1993, KNF is dedicated to bringing Khmu communities together to preserve culture through language, food, music, and art. They serve as the primary resource for Khmu people across the U.S. to address ethnic barriers and strengthen community ties.

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Dr. Bouaketh John Sayarath, MD

A pioneering Khmu American physician, educator, and community leader dedicated to advancing cultural preservation and health equity. As one of the first Khmu individuals to become a medical doctor in the U.S., he brings a personal perspective shaped by his journey from Laos to America. He serves as a Senior Advisor to the Khmu National Federation, supporting initiatives that promote Khmu language, history, and identity. Outside of medicine, he is a professional science teacher, tennis head coach/player, and avid hiker.

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Steve Boun Sengaroun (AKA Khamboun Sengaroun)

Born during the Vietnam War in Xiengkhaouang, Laos, Steve escaped to Thailand in 1979 by walking 31 days through the jungle from Phu Bia Mountain and swimming the Mekong River. After two years in the Nongkhai Lao Refugee Camp, he migrated to the U.S. in 1981, settling in Orange County, California. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix in 2005 and is retired from the Walt Disney Company after 25 years of service as a Quality Assurance Manager.

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Tracie Chulaparn Friedman

Arrived in Seattle in 1981 from northern Laos’s Borkeo Province and accessed formal education for the first time at age nine. She graduated from Ingraham High School (1990), the University of Washington (BA, 1994), and Seattle University (Master's, 2001). For 24 years, she has served at the King County Housing Authority as a Program Manager supporting low-income and diverse communities. Tracie made history as the first woman President of the Khmu National Federation (2019–2023) and currently serves as its Co-Executive Director alongside her supportive family (husband Bruce, and daughters Allissa and Alexis).

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Phaeng Toommaly

Born in Pak Bang, Laos in 1968, her family escaped twice—first to Luang Prabang in 1968 and later from Houasai to Thailand in 1975, taking refuge in Baanthong Refugee Camp. After her father's involvement in guerrilla warfare efforts with the CIA and Thai government concluded, the family came to the U.S. as refugees in July 1979. She graduated from UC Davis in 1992 with a BA in Psychology, spent 13 years working in Northern California's non-profit sector as a youth counselor and Executive Director, and currently owns a financial services business in Pinole, California.