Gary Yia Lee

Gary Yia Lee (born 1949) is a Hmong anthropologist and author based in Australia. Lee was born in Ban Houei Kouang, Muong Mok, Xieng Khouang, Laos. In 1961, his family was displaced by the civil war and they joined other Hmong refugees in the city of Vientiane. In 1965, after completing high school, Lee traveled to Australia for further education under the Colombo Plan.

Now an Australian citizen, Lee holds degrees in social work and a Ph.D. in social anthropology/community development from the University of Sydney. His research has included diverse refugee populations, but he is best known for his research and publications about the Hmong diaspora. In December 2007, Lee concluded a one-year term (October 2006 through December 2007) as a visiting scholar at the Center for Hmong Studies at Concordia University, St. Paul.

Along with scholarly writing, Lee has also published several works of fiction including the novel, Dust of Life: A True Ban Vinai Love Story. His poetry has appeared in the Paj Ntaub Voice Hmong literary journal.

References

• http://www.hmongnet.org/hmong-au/garylee.htm
• http://www.garyyialee.com/

External links

• GaryYiaLee.com His professional website which includes reprints of many of his articles.
• Hmong Oral History Project Interview Transcript of an interview conducted by Professor Paul Hillmer of Concordia University, St. Paul.