Renowned Canadian author Thomas King, whose literary works have profoundly shaped Indigenous storytelling in North America, has made a shocking personal discovery that challenges his lifelong identity. The 82-year-old writer recently learned he has no Indigenous ancestry despite believing for decades he was part Cherokee.
A Lifelong Belief Shattered
In a deeply personal essay published in The Globe and Mail titled "A most inconvenient Indian," King revealed the devastating truth about his heritage. The Guelph-based author explained that he had believed his family's story about Cherokee ancestry his entire life, a narrative passed down from his mother after his father abandoned the family when King was just three years old.
King detailed that his mother had consistently told him his paternal grandfather was "part Cherokee," information he never questioned throughout his childhood and adult life. This belief fundamentally shaped his personal identity and professional career, influencing his novels, political activism, academic studies, and even his PhD dissertation, all of which centered on Indigenous themes and perspectives.
The Investigation That Revealed the Truth
The acclaimed writer of The Inconvenient Indian acknowledged he had heard rumors questioning his Indigenous heritage several years ago but chose to ignore them. However, this year he decided to seek definitive answers by contacting the U.S. organization Tribal Alliance Against Frauds.
The investigation yielded conclusive results that shattered King's understanding of his identity. Researchers found "no Cherokee on the King side. No Cherokee on the Hunt side. No Indians anywhere to be found." The author described receiving this news "a couple of weeks" ago and admitted he is "still reeling" from the revelation.
King expressed the profound emotional impact, stating the news was "so very devastating, though devastating is too pedestrian a word." He poignantly described feeling "ripped in half, a one-legged man in a two-legged story. Not the Indian I had in mind. Not an Indian at all."
Confronting the Consequences
The author acknowledged the complex position he now faces, having built much of his career and public identity around Indigenous perspectives. King stated he intends to return his National Aboriginal Achievement Award for arts and culture but will keep his other literary honors, noting they were awarded based on his writing rather than his ethnicity.
In his essay, King recognized that he has "benefitted from being considered Native American" throughout his career, despite also facing discrimination. He anticipates a "firestorm" of criticism and questions about his credibility and intentions.
The writer expressed determination to continue supporting Indigenous causes and artists, though he worries they "will not want to stand too close to such a smouldering wreck." He plans to navigate the aftermath by sorting "through rubble to see if there is anything left of my reputation, of my career."
This revelation comes during a period of heightened scrutiny around Indigenous identity claims in Canada, following similar controversies involving other public figures. King's candid disclosure marks a significant moment in ongoing conversations about heritage, identity, and representation in Canadian literature and public life.
