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Author Thomas King learns he lacks Cherokee ancestry after decades of claims
Renowned Canadian-American writer Thomas King revealed in a Globe and Mail opinion piece on Monday that genealogical research confirms he has no Cherokee heritage, despite a lifelong belief rooted in family lore. The 82-year-old author, celebrated for works like The Inconvenient Indian (2014 RBC Taylor Prize winner) and Indians on Vacation (2020 Leacock Medal recipient), described the discovery as feeling "ripped in half."
The family story and lingering doubts
King grew up believing his paternal grandfather, Elvin Hunt, was part Cherokee-a narrative passed down through generations. Yet doubts persisted. "I knew who I was. Knew my family history," he wrote, acknowledging gaps: "I hadn't been raised on a reserve/reservation. I didn't speak Cherokee." Rumors about his ancestry, though largely dismissed, resurfaced periodically, prompting his recent investigation.
The investigation and its fallout
This year, King contacted the Tribal Alliance Against Frauds (Taaf), a U.S. group exposing false claims of Indigenous heritage. Their genealogist found no Cherokee lineage in his family. While Taaf suggested a public apology, King rejected the idea, stating, "An apology assumes a crime," and insisting he had acted in good faith. Born in California but based in Canada since 1980, King built his academic career as an Indigenous studies professor at the University of Lethbridge.
"Not the Indian I had in mind. Not an Indian at all."
Thomas King, Globe and Mail
Awards and next steps
King plans to return the 2003 National Aboriginal Achievement Award, citing its tie to ethnicity, but will retain literary prizes earned for his writing. His essay reflects on the tension between identity and verification, noting that while his awards recognize literary merit, the revelation forces a reckoning with how his perceived heritage shaped his work and public role.
Broader implications
The case echoes wider debates over Indigenous identity claims in academia and the arts, where ancestry often influences opportunities and credibility. King's situation underscores the complexities of inherited narratives-and the emotional toll when they unravel.
