Author's 40-Year Cherokee Identity Debunked by Genealogist

Thomas King, an 82-year-old author renowned for his writings on Native American experiences, has disclosed that he possesses no Indigenous ancestry. This startling revelation emerged after a genealogist, investigating his background at King's request, found no Cherokee lineage on either his paternal or maternal sides.

King had spent approximately 40 years identifying and writing as someone with Cherokee roots, a belief stemming from his mother's statements and confirmed by an aunt. However, genealogical research definitively disproved these claims, leaving him reeling from the discovery.

Now facing the consequences, King is contemplating whether his wrongly claimed heritage afforded him opportunities meant for others. The situation highlights a broader trend of scrutiny regarding public figures' Indigenous identities.