Untold Stories Oral History Project
Untold Stories of Bhutanese in Western Massachusetts: An Oral History Project
From March to May 2025, the AAPI Commission proudly partnered with the Bhutanese Society of Western Massachusetts to host three community screenings of Untold Stories of Bhutanese Living in Western MA, a powerful documentary that sheds light on the forced displacement of over 100,000 ethnic Nepali Bhutanese in the late 20th century.
Through deeply personal narratives and historical context, the film highlights a history of political oppression and human rights violations that led many to be resettled in Western Massachusetts.
The first screening was held in Springfield, MA, with approximately 65 attendees who were all members of the Bhutanese Society of Western MA.
The second screening, also held in Springfield, MA, brought together approximately 30 attendees, including Asian American community members, stakeholders, academics, and students from Western Massachusetts.
Led by Hari Khanal with more than five years in the making, the documentary captures the voices of local Bhutanese community members as they share stories of struggle, resilience, and cultural preservation while forging new lives in an unfamiliar land.
Each of the three screening events started with a shared meal, a screening of the documentary, followed by a thoughtful Q&A and community dialogue that fostered reflection and connection.
The third screening, held in Boston, MA, gathered approximately 20 attendees from Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and stakeholders from the Boston area.
Presented by the Bhutanese Society of Western Massachusetts with support from UMass Amherst, Mass Humanities, and the AAPI Commission.
Please click on the video below to watch the documentary in full!
