I come from those
who survived

I am here because of their resilience
their courage
their intelligence
deep commitment to what is just

I come from those
who survived

No genocide
could silence
their voices
their lives
their strength
their love
end
their lineages

I come from those
who survived

Institutional genocide
boarding schools
rape
slavery
wars
concentration camps
attempts to eradicate our cultures

I come from those
who survived

Walking with dignity
and strength
in beauty and trust
passing on
to future
generations