History of Bosnians in the Pacific Northwest
In the early 1990s, the United States launched special admissions programs for refugees displaced by the Bosnian War. More than 350,000 people were resettled permanently through federal initiatives and local sponsors. Faith groups, nonprofits, and volunteers played a vital role in helping new arrivals secure housing, employment, and education.
Spokane was among the welcoming communities that opened its doors to Bosnian families. With resilience and determination, these families rebuilt their lives—raising children, buying homes, starting businesses, and forming community through traditions, music, food, and faith.
BHHAOS was born from this spirit of resilience. What began as informal gatherings has grown into a nonprofit that celebrates culture, strengthens community bonds, and connects Spokane to a global diaspora of more than 350,000 Bosnian‑Americans.
Today, second‑generation Bosnian‑Americans contribute across the region as students, educators, healthcare workers, engineers, and entrepreneurs—while maintaining ties to their language, music, and family traditions.
Bosnians have been part of the American story for more than a century. From the founding of one of the first Islamic benevolent societies in 1906 to the arrival of tens of thousands of refugees in the 1990s, Bosnian‑Americans have enriched U.S. culture, business, and civic life. Today, major communities thrive in St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, and beyond—preserving heritage while contributing to the broader American society.