National Adult Literacy Database

August 26, 2002

The following poem was written by Susie Wegernoski, from Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. Susie entered the 2002 NWT Literacy Council Writing Contest. She won in the Adult Education Poetry category. Her winning poem appears below.

First Day in Norman Wells

by Susie Wegernoski

Hey Indyun
"HEY Indyun"
I sit alone, oblivious.
Two drunk Good Hopers
Mistakenly recognize me as a sister.

My long dark hair & sun bronzed skin
Provide identification.

If I knew then what I know now…
A grunt, a little white lie could have meant
Unconditional acceptance
Instead, I struggle daily
To prove my humanity

[This poem was taken with permission, from 2002 NWT Literacy Council Writing Contest Winners.]