After the trauma of the Secret War in Laos, Hmong women in refugee camps began stitching their history onto cloth. This traditional art, called paj ndao or flower cloth, had been used for generations to record traditions and cultural identity, passed from mother to daughter. In the late 1970s in Thailand, the art took on a new purpose as women created story cloths that depicted their escape from Laos, the dangerous crossing of the Mekong River, and their life in the camps. These textiles became

See how Duabcii Crystal Vang (Duabci Vang) is helping connect traditions of the past to the present day in the Fox Valley in the new episode of Wisconsin Life! This Duab Ci Dance Academy coach teaches Hmong dance to youth, blending traditional styles with modern influences. Watch the full episode 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, on PBS Wisconsin, pbswisconsin.org/wilife, the free PBS app on all digital devices and smart TVs or right here on Facebook! | PBS Wisconsin