We recognize that the first enslaved Africans were brought to this land in 1619. We recognize the centuries of genocide, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity that have been inflicted on the people who were made Black in this land. We are the architects of this land. We are the foundation of this country’s wealth. Through colonization, and genocide, this land became known as the Oregon Territory encompassing lands of modern-day Washington, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana before finally becoming the 33rd state of America on February 14, 1859. Despite the exclusion of our presence in state law, we have been here since the early days, living, stewarding, laboring and building families in this land. We are the descendants of the Great Migration. We are the descendants of Vanport. We recognize that in the demise of Vanport, Albina became the home to the largest Black community in this land’s history. While Albina became a nucleus to our Black community, we have continued to live and build throughout Oregon. We continue to live in all corners of this state. We’ve been here. We are still here.

~ Donovan Smith