Fort Wayne's Burma History
A SHORT HISTORY OF THE FORT WAYNE BURMA COMMUNITY
In 1991, sponsored by Catholic Charities and Neil and Diana Sowards, our first Burmese began to arrive. Several single people and then families were resettled, with some beginning education and others moving to work in small manufacturing recruited by the community, the Sowards and Catholic Charities. Early in this time, several members of our Mon community joined others that had been settled by Exodus in Indianapolis. Many of these were political activists that had fought against the military government or were active in the failed Aung San Suu Kyi 1989 election and the comradery of that effort gave many of these diverse admissions a common ground. This became the 8888 generation or "88 generation". Thus began the growth of our diversity.
Faith groups as well as active political activities were prominent in our beginnings as is always the case with new immigrants. Many were members of student activist organizations who had fought the government and freedom fighters from the 88 generation still form the structure of much of the community. Early arrivals were from Maneeloy camp and student refugee center and the environs of Bangkok. Reasonable rent and ongoing job opportunities also drove secondary immigration to Fort Wayne often by those settled in other U.S. cities because entrants are free to move once then arrive, although initial agency funding may not follow.
By the mid 1990’s, the community numbered about 500, with sewing companies hiring many at entry level, organized by Bob Hinty, eventually involving three different companies sewing for Vera Bradley, along with Nishakawa automotive company. Both companies paid good starting wages with benefits and began a system of worker training and language focused team building that remains a success model today, replicated by many, including the large number of Tyson workers in Logansport and northwest Indiana. Some also began small businesses as well as school-based educational projects and university attendance. These spread to apartment complex based educational support structures in our public school system as well as more support from Salvation Army and others. Needed medical translators emerged from the communities further expanding jobs and activities.
Our first Buddhist Temples and Christian congregations began to flourish in the latter 1990’s, expanding to currently 6 Buddhist Temples, three Moslem groups, perhaps 5 Christian congregations, a Seventh Day Adventist and Catholic congregation.
As they integrated, Burmese immigrants began to staff higher levels of service and manufacturing as well as the beginnings of banking support. In refugee services at Catholic Charities, our Burma members took their lessons in service to other immigrant groups. Our American faith leaders also helped serve as well to inspire our Burma community in the essence of service, with some of our Buddhist leaders replicating the community service model inspired by Thant Nich Han. Fort Wayne began to attract minority Burmese faith leaders who began yet another round of development.
In the late 1990’s, Fort Wayne hosted several International Conferences with ABSDF (All Burma Student Democratic Front) being very active. Along with other groups that fought their governments. these were determined to be "material support for terrorists" in 2006 legislation when they were true freedom fighters, with some Iraqui groups that the U.S. promoted in the 1991 war declared thus, a betrayal that confounded permanent status for these admissions, most later being "waived" when the true activities were documented. The community also was invited to participate in our Veteran’s Day parades and ceremonies, generated largely by joint meetings with our China-Burma-India World War II veterans who were so proud to meet the children of the soldiers they fought with against Japan. Two of these veterans still live in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne began to formally organize its long pro-democracy efforts enlisting many community groups.
Ex-patriot Burma leader and acting prime minister of democratic groups Sein Win began visits to Fort Wayne, bringing U.S. Campaign for Burma and other international groups for various meetings and conferences. At the same time, Senator Richard Lugar began his long term efforts in reaching out to Fort Wayne’s widely diverse groups in his formulation of Burma and refugee resettlement policy. Mr. Keith Luse, of Senate Foreign Relations Committee took those experiences back and also secured many positive relationships with Fort Wayne and the large Chin populations that now live in Indianapolis. We owe much to the work of Senator Lugar and our congressmen and staff, especially Kathy Green of the Congressman‘s office in the challenge against the injustice that the “material support“ law caused many of our genuine freedom fighters.
With good access to jobs and housing, Fort Wayne became a magnet to many Burmese resettled in other cities, with the post 88 energy and shared camp experiences bringing many here within days of arrival. Elders worked actively to promote English instruction, home language instruction to the growing student populations, activism in the schools in support of new students, especially our older ESL students fresh from the camps. Fort Wayne responded well to those needs with the Burmese featured in many media success stories. Led by Indiana-Purdue University in Fort Wayne (I.P.F.W.), IVY Tech, and our private colleges, higher education support systems and student recruitment expanded. As Thailand continued to close camps like Mae La and Ma Hnin, as well as U.S. State Department to bring Guam refugees, late '90's saw regular increases, along with secondary migration and family member sponsorship by many now U.S. citizens.
In our midst we also had two MP’s elected in 1990, Mr. U Tun Oo and U Peter Limpin, both of whom established active political involvement. As workers progressed in their schooling and jobs, many began businesses, home purchases and faith structures.
Growth continued through the 2000’s but these times showed the decline of our largely manufacturing economy with the loss of hundreds of long term jobs in our Burma communities. With Thailand’s pressure to empty the long-standing camps near the border, Fort Wayne was asked to resettle nearly 1500 Karen Moslem refugees from 2006 to 2009. With again the assistance of Senator Lugar and Congressman Souder, federal, private and state funded initiatives formed the Burmese Advocacy Center for an organized, coordinated support structure for these new refugees. Jobs and housing became critical needs. Our Fort Wayne community now numbers about 4500. In an example of pure freedom, many of our formerly minority Burma communities have flourished here on the simple work, ownership and pride in themselves. These built, 7 years later, the largest mosque in N.E. Indiana and the only one built outside Burma in 70 years. The Burmese were supported by strong efforts of a largely Turkish community from South Bend. They also were the impetus for the consolidation of our widely diverse other Moslem Communities for the largest Eid ceremony in 2009 this city had seen. Burma awaits!
In 2012, our four Allen County school districts graduated 96 Burmese students, including valedictorians, salutatorians and “top teners” with many enjoying plans for scholarship funded college opportunities.
Events in the U.S. and Burma were always widely watched and discussed, with the court house being the center of many demonstrations of community awareness for a free Burma. The public organizing drive of the 88 generation has produced many leaders in industry, education and, with the preparations for the Suu Kyi visit, a coming together for the long term future of the community. Indeed, some community members are already discussing Fort Wayne City Council campaigns in 2014.
Aung San Suu Kyi is widely known and loved in Fort Wayne. The Saffron Revolution in 2007 produced the last flurry of activities until the constitutional elections and the glorious sweep of freedoms across Burma. This included Suu Kyi's 2013 visit to Fort Wayne in honor of our 88 Generation. Along with their fellow students, siblings and parents our High School students are the true miracles of freedom and take home the best of all worlds for the future. For many, the greatest graduation present came in witnessing the arrival of their most cherished world leader.
With the relaxing of military rule after 2012, many locals returned, some establishing business and educational ties. A Friendship City was finalized by our Sister City group, adding Moulmein, capital of Mon State after deep community consultation. There now finds more than thirty ethnic, language, cultural, political, religious and generational groups in this most diverse community of about 6000. Indiana also hosts a largely Chin community near 10,000 in Indianaoplis
By Fred Gilbert, M.A. refugee caseworker 1974 to 2010 and ongoing advisor for many communities.
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