Celebrated writer Thomas King recently disclosed that despite his long-held belief, he does not have Indigenous heritage. Known for works like “The Truth About Stories: A Native Narrative” and “The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America,” King shared in an essay titled “A most inconvenient Indian” for the Globe and Mail that he discovered he has no Cherokee ancestry after investigating rumors about his background.
The 82-year-old author explained that he had always thought he had Indigenous roots as his mother had mentioned his father was part Cherokee. However, a recent investigation by the Tribal Alliance Against Frauds, with the assistance of a scholar from the University of British Columbia, revealed no Cherokee lineage. King expressed his deep shock and described the revelation as profoundly distressing.
King, who has received accolades such as the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour and the Order of Canada, has been recognized for shedding light on the injustices faced by Indigenous Peoples. Despite the unexpected revelation, he hopes to continue supporting Indigenous causes and artists in the future.
The author acknowledged that he anticipates a strong emotional response from the public following his disclosure but remains committed to contributing to Indigenous issues. The publisher of his works, HarperCollins Canada, expressed pride in their long-standing relationship with King.
