Iu Mien Online Language Initiative

Iu Mien Waac

Community-stewarded; Community-led

Our language is our
culture and identity

Its quiet erosion puts at risk
our unique way of being and
belonging in the world.

Our hope is that this initiative, therefore,
empowers us to resist and persevere despite
such odds: through a strategic alliance of
partnerships, community stewardship, and
research to create cultural literacy and
promote sustained language acquisition.

Our self-determination, so exercised,
for our language.

Inside a bamboo house, women in indigo jackets and red ruffs work at embroidery while children stand and read beside an elder.

Our Alliance and Partners

In conversation

  • Iu Mien Community Services — Sacramento
  • Iu Mien Association of Oregon
  • Iu-Mien American Association (IMAA) — Seattle
  • The Lao Iu Mien Culture Association, Inc.
  • Iu Mien Native Language Literacy (IMNLL) — a volunteer group within Lap Iu Mien Cultural Association, Inc.
  • William & Mary Linguistics Department and Dr. Earl Gregg Swem Library

Organizations in conversation are listed by name only until each has confirmed how it wishes to be described and linked.

The language content and data on this site serves as proof of concept, pending a data management protocol, community review process, and potential dictionary licensing.