culture, lack of identity and more. Community-based organizations formed among communities in Washington, Oregon and California to provide direct services, catering to resettlement issues. They celebrated their 31st anniversary in Sacramento, California, on July 7, 2007. Achievement awards were given to Mien American military service members, doctors, educators, scholars, leaders, and others. There are approximately 50,000 Mien in the US as of 2012, with 15,000 of those in Sacramento, and 13,000 in the East Bay. Iu Mien people have settled all across continents of the world. There are Iu Mien who settled in the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Laos, Myanmar, New Zealand, Switzerland, Thailand, and Vietnam after or during the "Secret War." There is a large population of Iu Mien Americans that have settled in the city of Sacramento, California, as well as in Oakland, Richmond, San Jose, Merced, Visalia, Stockton, Fresno, Yuba City, Oroville, Gridley, and Redding. In Oregon, most of the Iu Mien populations are resided in Salem and the greater Portland area. In Washington, most of the Iu Mien population are living in the King County of the greater Seattle area. Culture Marriage The patrilineal clan system plays a central role in identifying Iu Mien’s culture. Iu Mien has 12 clan names and operates parallel to the Hmong clan system (MacDonald, 2009). Within the practice, intermarriages among the clan are essential. However, for members with a related tradition, intermarriage is barred. The individual families have sub-clans that play a critical role in religious and socialization functions. The sub-clans are more vital than clans due to their social position and closeness with individual members. Marriage is an essential social function among Iu Mien. Iu Mien has a distinct cultural practice concerning marriages and sexuality where elders play a critical role in presiding over marriages. The elders are respected and play a central role in blessing newborns with protective spirits. The elders shun premarital sex and childbearing out of wedlock. A groom’s family has to pay an extra dowry for any child born out of wedlock. Music In traditional days, Mien communicate by singing and telling folk stories. It was a way of philosophical communication and a way of teaching by passing on stories in profound songs generations after generations. Singing and reciting by doing noble ritual offerings to the ancestors from the "Book of Death," burning incense "Tao / Dao" was a way to keep