Hmong cultural grandmaster Mr. Cher Mia Vang - Xibfwb Txawj Mia Vaj - was born on October 4, 1931 in the Village of Khang Ker, Xieng Khouang Province, Laos to Mr. Shoua Lue Vang and Mrs. Mee Xiong Vang.

At a young age, Mr. Vang developed a keen compassion for learning Hmong culture, rituals, and service to the community.

From 1955 to 1958, as a studious disciple under several Hmong cultural experts, Mr. Vang learned, practiced, and mastered marriage rites as a Wedding Negotiator, or Mej Koob; mastered funeral procedures and songs as a Chosen Master, or Txiv Xaiv; and volunteered servicing these needs to the community.

In 1961, the CIA recruited, paid, and trained Hmong soldiers into its secret army, known as the Special Guerrilla Units, to protect and defend the United States’ military objectives inside Laos and against communist expansion during the Vietnam War, and in 963, Mr. Vang was recruited as a Special Guerrilla Units soldier.

From 1966 to 1975, Mr. Vang bravely defended and fought against the communist Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese Army from taking over his country.

After Laos collapsed into communists control in May of 1975, Mr. Vang and his family sought political asylum in the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp in Thailand, where he continued serving his people’s cultural and spiritual calls.

When Mr. Vang and his family immigrated to St. Paul, MN in December of 1980, he worked full-time to provide for his family, and, on weekends, he selflessly devoted his life to wed countless newly married couples and served as the Chosen Master for hundreds of memorial ceremonies.

In 2006, Mr. Vang retired from work and committed more time to serve the community with his cultural expertise; shared his knowledge as an advisor for several Hmong cultural councils; passed on his wisdom to more than 100 disciples; and authored the book "Khaws Hmoob Puav Pheej" to preserve his life's works as a Hmong cultural master;

In 2011, Mr. Vang was one of the few Hmong cultural honorary guests who advised and presided over the procession of the late Gen. Vang Pao's celebration of life service in California.

With his passing on March 15, 2023 in Maplewood, Minn., Mr. Vang will be revered for his lifelong contributions in the field of Hmong cultural practices, wedding and funeral rites, and traditions to the Hmong American society.