Thomas King, an acclaimed author known for his works on Indigenous themes, has revealed that he is not of Cherokee descent, a claim he believed for most of his life. In an essay published in the Globe and Mail, the 82-year-old writer shared his shock at discovering his true ancestry after consulting with the Tribal Alliance Against Frauds (TAAF), an organization that investigates claims of false Indigenous heritage. King, who is celebrated for books such as "Green Grass, Running Water" and "The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America," expressed deep emotional turmoil over the revelation. He wrote, "I feel as though I’ve been ripped in half, a one-legged man in a two-legged story. Not the Indian I had in mind. Not an Indian at all." Born in California, King has lived in Canada for over 40 years. He explained that his father, Robert, grew up in Oklahoma and believed his biological father was part Cherokee based on family lore. However, TAAF, working with a genealogist, traced King’s paternal lineage and found no evidence of Indigenous ancestry in either his grandfather, Elvin Hunt, or his father. In his essay, King did not dispute the findings and acknowledged the impact of this revelation on his identity and career. He stated, "I expect a firestorm of anger, disbelief and feelings of betrayal, and after it is over I will sort through rubble to see if there is anything left of my reputation, of my career." King's literary career spans more than three decades, with his first novel, "Medicine River," published in 1989. He has received numerous accolades, including the Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction and the RBC Taylor Prize. In 2004, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada and was later promoted to Companion of the Order in 2020. In light of his recent revelations, King indicated he plans to return the National Aboriginal Achievement Award, which he received in 2003, stating, "The rest of my awards are based on my writing, not my ethnicity." King's situation is part of a broader conversation regarding claims of Indigenous ancestry. Earlier this year, singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie faced scrutiny over her heritage, leading to the revocation of several awards. Similarly, filmmaker Michelle Latimer's claims of Indigenous ancestry were also challenged in a 2020 investigation. King hopes that his experience will spark a meaningful dialogue about Indigenous identity and the complexities surrounding it. He concluded his essay by expressing a desire to continue supporting Indigenous causes and artists, despite the potential fallout from his revelations.