Roots Across Borders: Montagnard Diaspora Cultural Exchange & Language 101
Thu, Oct 15
|Virtual Event
Join the US-ASEAN Young Professionals Association, the Montagnard Association of North Carolina, and The Montagnard Channel for Roots Across Borders, a virtual event celebrating the history, culture, and resilience of the Montagnard diaspora.
Time & Location
Oct 15, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:40 PM EDT
Virtual Event
About the event
Join the US-ASEAN Young Professionals Association (UAYPA), the Montagnard Association of North Carolina (MANC), and The Montagnard Channel for Roots Across Borders—an interactive virtual event celebrating the rich history, living traditions, and ancestral languages of the Montagnard (Degar) diaspora.
This program highlights how language preservation, higher education, and cultural continuity are deeply intertwined with Indigenous identity and community empowerment.
📜 Heritage & History
Who are the Montagnards? Meaning "mountain people," Montagnards (also known as the Degar) are indigenous ethnic groups—including the Jarai, Rhade, Bahnar, Koho, and Bunong—originating from the Central Highlands of Vietnam and also living in Cambodia's northeastern provinces like Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri.
Vietnam War Allies: During the Vietnam War, Montagnards served as crucial allies alongside U.S. Special Forces (Green Berets), utilizing their deep knowledge of the terrain to defend border regions and scout remote areas.
The North Carolina Connection: Following post-war displacement and persecution, U.S. veteran advocacy helped resettle surviving allies and…