10/08/2026
🌐 VIRTUAL EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Roots Across Borders: Montagnard Diaspora Cultural Exchange & Language 101 🌐
As a proud sponsor of MANC’s upcoming Miles for Montagnard 5K, the US-ASEAN Young Professionals Association (UAYPA) is excited to partner with the Montagnard Association of North Carolina Inc. (MANC) and The Montagnard Channel for an interactive virtual cultural exchange and language workshop celebrating the heritage, resilience, and living languages of the Montagnard diaspora!
📜 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 their families. Today, North Carolina is home to the largest Montagnard population outside of Southeast Asia, centered in the Piedmont Triad and Triangle regions.
✨ WHAT TO EXPECT:
🏛️ Organizational Spotlight & Collaboration: Learn about MANC’s vital community advocacy, youth programs, cultural preservation initiatives (including language and culture classes), and their growing partnership with UAYPA—including UAYPA's sponsorship of the Miles for Montagnard 5K.
🥁 Culture & Living Heritage: Explore the indigenous history of the Central Highlands of Vietnam, U.S. resettlement roots, gong music, traditional weaving, and oral storytelling.
🗣️ Montagnard Language 101: Participate in a beginner-friendly, interactive lesson covering language roots (Austronesian/Mon-Khmer), everyday conversational greetings, and pronunciation led by youth instructors. Plus, learn firsthand from anthropologist Lap Siu about his landmark creation of the historic Jarai-English online dictionary, a pioneering effort to preserve indigenous linguistic heritage for future generations.
💬 Live Q&A: Connect directly with speakers, educators, and community leaders.
🎙️ FEATURED SPEAKERS & MODERATOR:
• Lap Siu – Founder, The Montagnard Channel
A Jarai Montagnard refugee from the Central Highlands of Vietnam who arrived in the U.S. at age 18. An anthropologist (B.A. & M.A., Texas Tech) and educator with 15+ years of teaching experience, Lap created The Montagnard Channel to document Montagnard history, languages (including developing a historic Jarai-English online dictionary), and diaspora stories for future generations.
• Zina Y – Program Coordinator, MANC Triangle Branch
A member of the Bahnar tribe from Kontum, Vietnam, and an NC State alumna (B.A. in International Studies). Driven by a passion to serve her community, Zina spearheads cultural preservation and engagement programs across the Triangle region of North Carolina.
• Sachi Dely – Youth & Art Program Director / Health & Social Service Coordinator, MANC
A Montagnard American multidisciplinary artist, community advocate, and MFA candidate at UNC Greensboro. Through artwork, storytelling, and community programming, Sachi works to preserve cultural memory, challenge dominant historical narratives, and empower future generations.
• Wah Paw (Moderator) – Women's Wellness Program Coordinator, MANC
A dedicated community advocate coordinating health, wellness, and social service outreach initiatives for Montagnard women and families across North Carolina.
📅 EVENT DETAILS:
🗓️ U.S. Date & Time: Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM EST (GMT-5)
🌏 Vietnam Date & Time: Friday, October 16, 2026 at 5:00 AM (GMT+7)
💻 Platform: Zoom Virtual Event (Free & Open to All)
👉 REGISTER TODAY: Register on www.usaseanypa.org
