THOMAS KING

Storyteller, Satirist, and Literary Trailblazer

Thomas King is one of Canada’s most celebrated and influential writers, known for his sharp wit, rich storytelling, and thought-provoking explorations of Indigenous identity and history. Born in California, King is of Cherokee and Greek descent and has spent much of his career in Canada, where he has left a lasting mark as an author, scholar, and advocate.

King’s works blend humor, satire, and Indigenous oral traditions, offering both profound insight and entertainment. His novels include:

  • Medicine River (1990) – A heartfelt story of contemporary Indigenous life in Canada.

  • Green Grass, Running Water (1993) – A genre-defying novel intertwining Indigenous myth and modern storytelling.

  • Indians on Vacation (2020) – A wry, poignant novel about identity, history, and self-discovery.

  • The Back of the Turtle (2014) – Winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction.

  • The Inconvenient Indian (2012) – A powerful non-fiction exploration of Indigenous representation and history.

Beyond his writing, King has shaped conversations about Indigenous identity through academia, broadcasting (The Dead Dog Café Comedy Hour), and advocacy. He has received numerous accolades, including the Governor General’s Literary Award, the RBC Taylor Prize, and Canada’s highest civilian honor, the Order of Canada.

Today, his work continues to inspire and challenge, bridging past and present, tradition and innovation, with a voice that is uniquely his own.