About Thomas
Historian, educator, novelist, and longtime resident of Korea.
Originally from Michigan and an elder in the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa, Thomas Duvernay has spent more than four decades living and teaching in Korea. His work combines a lifelong interest in history, Indigenous culture, and cross-cultural encounters.
My Story
I’ve spent much of my life between cultures. After arriving in Korea in the 1980s, I built a career teaching English and Korean studies while pursuing research into Korean history and culture. My story also reaches back to my Anishinaabe roots in Michigan. My great-grandfather served in the First Michigan Sharpshooters during the Civil War, and that family history sparked a deeper interest in the experiences of Indigenous soldiers. The Ogichidaa series grew in part from that connection to my own family’s past.
Why I Write
History is often told through generals, politicians, and famous figures. I am interested in the experiences of ordinary people whose stories are rarely heard. Through the character of Corbin LaCroix, the Ogichidaa series explores war, identity, duty, cultural survival, and the challenges of living in a changing world. Through fiction, I hope to bring overlooked histories to life and introduce readers to people and perspectives that rarely appear in traditional historical narratives.
Research and Background
- Ph.D. in Korean Studies
- Four decades in Korea
- Research on the First Michigan Sharpshooters
- Research on the 1871 U.S. expedition to Korea
- Author of The Sinmiyangyo: The 1871 Conflict Between the United States and Korea
Get in Touch
Questions or comments? I’d be glad to hear from you.