Thomas King is a highly acclaimed author, known for his works in fiction, non-fiction, and scriptwriting. He was born in Sacramento, California in 1943 and is of Cherokee, Greek, and German descent. King holds a PhD from the University of Utah, obtained in 1986. His writing focuses on addressing the marginalization of American Indians, challenging stereotypes, and delineating pan-Indian concerns and histories.
King's reputation as a leading author in this field is well-deserved, with a string of successful novels to his name, including "Medicine River," "Green Grass, Running Water," "Truth and Bright Water," and "The Back of the Turtle." His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, and he was made a member of the Order of Canada in 2004.
In addition to his novels, King has also published two collections of short stories, "One Good Story, That One" and "A Short History of Indians in Canada." He has also ventured into non-fiction with "The Truth About Stories: A Native Narrative" and children's books like "A Coyote Columbus Story," "Coyote Sings to the Moon," "Coyote's New Suit," and "A Coyote Solstice Tale." King's writing has also expanded to broadcasting, where he wrote and starred in the popular CBC radio series, "The Dead Dog Café."
King has had a distinguished academic career, teaching Native literature and history and creative writing at the University of Lethbridge, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Guelph. He is now retired and currently resides in Guelph, Ontario. King's impact on Native literature and history in Canada is significant, and his work continues to inspire and educate readers about the Native experience.