When you write my story

When you write my story
tell them about the leadership I had
about my land and how beautiful it was
about the people in my tribe
about the struggles in my life
about the peace and love I had for my people
tell them that my life wasn't easy
they should know that the land that we had was a blessing
tell them about the good things
when you write my story, don't forget to write it well

- by Victoria Kharitonenko, age 17

[Editor's note: After reading poetry, fiction and non-fiction representing various groups who lived in or came to Oregon in the 1700s and 1800s, youth were asked to write a poem from the perspective of someone new or established in the region during that time. This is one of the poems.]