Author Thomas King announced on Monday that he has discovered he does not have Cherokee ancestry. This revelation came after he consulted with the Tribal Alliance Against Frauds, a U.S.-based organization that investigates claims of Indigenous heritage. King, a celebrated author known for works such as "The Truth About Stories: A Native Narrative" and "The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America," expressed his shock in an essay titled "A Most Inconvenient Indian" published in the Globe and Mail. He stated that he believed he was Indigenous for most of his life, but rumors about his heritage began to surface several years ago. In his essay, King described the emotional impact of this news, saying, "At 82, 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." He explained that his mother had told him his father was part Cherokee, but after a thorough investigation, it was confirmed that neither his father's lineage nor that of his paternal grandfather included Cherokee heritage. King's journey to uncover the truth involved collaboration with a scholar from the University of British Columbia and genealogists from the Tribal Alliance Against Frauds. He noted that he had previously attempted to connect with his father's family in Oklahoma to learn more about his ancestry but was unsuccessful. The author anticipates a significant backlash from the public, stating, "I expect a firestorm of anger, disbelief and feelings of betrayal." He added that he would need to sift through the aftermath to assess the impact on his reputation and career. Despite the turmoil, King expressed a desire to continue supporting Indigenous causes and artists, although he acknowledged uncertainty about how they might respond to his situation. King has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour in 2020 and being named a member of the Order of Canada in 2004, later promoted to companion in 2020. His work has been recognized for addressing the injustices faced by Indigenous Peoples in North America and for fostering dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. In a previous interview after winning the RBC Taylor Prize for Non-Fiction in 2014, King remarked, "The best I can hope, I think, is for it to begin a conversation that other people will have to continue." He emphasized the need for a long-term discussion about the state of Native people in Canada, acknowledging the deep-rooted issues that cannot be resolved quickly. King's publisher, HarperCollins Canada, expressed pride in having published his work for over 30 years but did not provide further comments on the situation. As King navigates this challenging chapter, he hopes to contribute positively to Indigenous causes, even as he faces the fallout from his recent revelations.