In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves through the literary and Indigenous communities, celebrated author Thomas King, known for his works exploring Indigenous identity and experiences, has announced that he is not of Cherokee descent, as he had believed for most of his life. The 82-year-old author shared this personal discovery in an essay titled "A most inconvenient Indian" published in the Globe and Mail on November 25, 2025.
King, the author of influential books such as "The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America" and "The Truth About Stories: A Native Narrative," stated that he learned of rumors questioning his heritage several years ago. This year, he decided to investigate these claims, leading him to the Tribal Alliance Against Frauds, a U.S. organization, which, with the assistance of a University of British Columbia scholar, found no evidence of Cherokee ancestry in his lineage.
King was born in Sacramento, California in 1943. Raised primarily by his mother after his father left when he was three years old, King had always believed his father was part Cherokee, a belief rooted in family stories. This understanding of his heritage significantly shaped his personal and professional life. He taught Native literature and creative writing at the University of Guelph for many years and received the Order of Canada for championing Indigenous culture. His work often explored themes of identity, cultural representation, and the historical experiences of Native Americans.
In his essay, King expressed the profound personal impact of this revelation. He described feeling "ripped in half" and stated that the news was "devastating". He acknowledged the benefits he received due to being considered Native American, while also maintaining that he never intentionally misrepresented himself. King's publisher stands by him. However, the Edmonton Opera cancelled an opera based on King's "Indians on Vacation" due to concerns from Indigenous community members.
The news has ignited a complex discussion about identity, authenticity, and the responsibility that comes with claiming Indigenous heritage. King's situation draws parallels to other high-profile cases involving questions of Indigenous identity, such as those of Joseph Boyden, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Michelle Latimer. These cases highlight the importance of verifying Indigenous heritage claims and the potential consequences of cultural appropriation.
King has received numerous accolades for his work, including the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour and the RBC Taylor Prize for Non-Fiction. He was also lauded for work that "exposes the hard truths of the injustices of the Indigenous Peoples of North America”. In light of this new information, some observers are questioning whether King's previous work should be re-evaluated. The Tribal Alliance Against Frauds had referred to King as a "pretendian" since at least 2022. The organization published what it says is King's lineage going back five generations, including more than 40 ancestors, none of whom are Indigenous.
As King grapples with this new reality, the broader conversation about Indigenous identity and representation continues to evolve. His experience serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in understanding and claiming Indigenous heritage in contemporary society.
