WHO WE ARE

Mission and history, Staff, Board, Community Advisory Council and partners

MDA Mission and History  The Montagnard Dega Association (MDA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community-Based Organization formed in 1988. We exist to unite and strengthen the fraternal ties of all persons of Montagnard heritage, to create a positive environment for all to meet, to build safe, healthy communities, to inspire education and to preserve our cultural heritage. North Carolina is home to many Montagnards outside of Southeast Asia and comprises a major portion of the local AAPI population. MDA works in cooperation with mutual assistance organizations, community groups, faith organizations, local, state, and refugee resettlement agencies. MDA is a refugee service provider recognized by NCDHHS. We have expanded to include a youth branch, Montagnard American Organization (MAO), research network, and community advisory council. We work closely with Bhutanese, Cambodian, Karenni, Sudanese, Liberian, and Swahili-speaking communities on education, health and COVID response. 

Who are the Montagnard people?  We are the indigenous peoples of the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The term Montagnard is French for “mountain people” or "highlanders", and is often used to refer to us, the indigenous people of the region. There are over 30 different Montagnard tribes.  We were some of the frontline fighters during the Vietnam War, alongside with U.S. Special Forces. Today, North Carolina holds the largest population of Montagnards outside of Southeast Asia... (more)

TRADITIONAL ARTS PROGRAMS

Sel Mpang

Traditional Arts Program Dance Instructor 

H'Debra Siu 

Traditional Arts Program Dance Assistant Instructor 

Karpuih Moyun

Traditional Arts Program Coordinator 

Mr. Yit Ksor 

Traditional Arts Program Music Instructor 


Mr. B. Ayun & Y'Levi Mlo Weaving Craftsman 

Mrs. H. Nie

Traditional Weaving Instructor 

OUR BOARD

Y'Thong Hmok 

Chair 


Lila Nie Miles

Co-Chair 




 TBA

Vice-Chair 




Y'Siu Hlong, PhD

Director Emeritus

Advisory Board 

Caitlyn Polito 

Co-Vice-Chair 



Daniel Touprong Ho-le

Owner, Ho-Le Accounting

Advisory Board 

H'Lat Mlo

Treasurer



Raleigh Bailey, PhD

Director Emeritus, Center for New North Carolinians

Advisory Board 

Brao Bolton

Secretary 


 

Dock Rmah

1996 NC Hertiage Award recipient

Advisory Board 

Melina Ksor, MPH

Voting Member 

Zina Y, BA

Voting Member

Sara Colm,

Voting Member 

RinSuin Ksor, BA

Voting Member  

Vung Ksor, BA

Voting Member

TBN

Voting Member  

TBN

Chair 

Elizabeth Thinh, BA

Vice Chair 


H'Yiu Ksor, RN

Co-Secretary

Gelly Long, BA

Co-Secretary 

Sharon Morrison, PhD

Non-voting

Member, Academic Liaison 

Andrew Young, MFA

Non-voting

Member, Technical Adviser