Portraits of Oregon - Sumi

Hi, My name is Sumi Thaiveettil Boye. I was born in Kerala, India. When I was four, my family and I moved to Australia. At eleven, we immigrated to Oregon, where I’ve spent most of my life. I consider Oregon home now. I moved to Chicago for graduate school and it allowed me to do more self-discovery that really allowed me to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, deepening my understanding of culture, identity, and belonging.

Oregon has a unique way of shaping those who grow up here. It’s a place of natural beauty, deep-rooted communities, and evolving perspectives. But for me, growing up as an Indian girl in a predominantly white space meant constantly navigating two worlds. My parents worked hard to instill their values in us, but raising children in a culture so different from their own came with challenges. I often felt caught in between—never fully Indian, never fully American. That in-between space was/is difficult at times, but it also shaped my curiosity about identity and self.

Now, as a mother raising two young children with my husband—an Oregonian born and raised—I find myself reflecting on those same challenges my parents faced. How do I help my children understand and embrace their Indian heritage when I’ve struggled with that myself? How do we weave together our cultural histories in a way that feels meaningful and whole?

What my husband and I do know is that community and connection are at the core of what we want to provide our children. We believe that when we truly see and understand one another, we build a richer, more compassionate world. I feel grateful for the community of friends and family here - people who support us and help us be our true selves. At nearly 40, I’m still on a self-discovery journey. Maybe that’s what my children will see me doing and know that it’s a continual process. I hope that they continue to be their authentic selves, explore who they are, to embrace every part of themselves, and to find belonging not just in a place, but in the people and connections that make life meaningful.