Insights - Jenny Kim

While browsing through some images online, I came across this particular drawing. It stood out to me because it shows just how many tribes exists in the U.S. and how far they span across it.  It is almost like a zoom of each state’s main cities. The map reminded me of the indigenous Aboriginal tribe in Australia.

I was born in Korea, but spent my childhood in Australia and distinctly remember learning about dreamtime and the British colonization of Aboriginal Australians in the 18th century. I remember being fascinated by Australia’s complex yet rich history and how the country came to be. Australia- as a commonwealth, official nation is only 116 years old- more than 100  years less than America.

There are many parallels between Australia’s history and America’s. Whether colonization, resistance, political decisions, both countries have turbulent pasts. Although I never had the chance to learn in depth about the history or culture of Native Americans and although I do not have Native American roots, I am excited to learn about so much I do not know and hope to share the knowledge I gain from the house seminar and generally being in the Muwekma community to others who do not know much about Native American history- like the present me.