Fargo, N.D., January 8, 2021— Starting in the 1930’s and continuing for decades, farmers in the Red River Valley depended on migrant laborers from Texas and Mexico who helped with hoeing sugar beet fields and bringing in the harvest.
Prairie Public has produced a half-hour television documentary to examine the amazing journey of the Red River Valley’s Hispanic community. “Ésta Es Mi Casa – This Is My Home” will premiere Thursday, January 28, at 9 p.m. In addition, Prairie Public will host a free online premiere screening and panel discussion on Thursday, January 21, at 7 p.m. Space is limited in this public event and can be reserved at prairiepublic.org.
These families’ migration stories are as compelling as those of the German and Scandinavian families that migrated centuries early. They took extensive risks and experienced culture clashes, climate shock and language barriers.
“Now, one and two generations later, these hard-working migrant workers have assimilated and settled in our region,” said Matt Olien, the documentary’s producer. “Their children and grandchildren are working as professionals. They have contributed their own cultural stamp to our region’s art, cuisine, diversity and economy.”
“Ésta Es Mi Casa – This Is My Home” is Prairie Public’s contribution to the “Moving Lives Minnesota: Stories of Origin & Immigration” television and online initiative. The region-wide project, accessed at movinglivesmn.org, encourages audience-submitted content and brings people together to build understanding across our communities.
Prairie Public Broadcasting, headquartered in Fargo, is a non-profit member station of PBS and NPR that provides public television services throughout North Dakota, northwestern Minnesota, southern Manitoba, and parts of Montana and South Dakota; public radio service to North Dakota; and educational and technological services to communities and individuals across its coverage area.
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