Thomas King is anything but a conventional Canadian writer. Born to a mother of Greek decent and a Cherokee father, King was born in California, educated in Utah, worked in Australia and has lived in Canada for most of his adult life. Although he has travelled extensively, he considers Guelph, Ontario his home.
The Early Years
King holds a PhD in English/American Studies from the University of Utah. He started his long writing career as a photojournalist in Australia before settling in as a professor of Native American studies at the University of Lethbridge.
Editor, Author and Children’s Writer
King soon made his leap from professor to editor with The Native in Literature: Canadian and Comparative Perspectives in 1987. This was followed in 1990 by All My Relations: An Anthology of Contemporary Native Fiction.
King’s first novel, Medicine River, published in 1990, was later turned into a television series. His second novel, Green Grass, Running Water, was nominated for a Governor General’s Award in 1993. One Good Story, That One (1993) Truth and Bright Water (1999) and The Truth About Stories (2003) all followed and were received with great success and acclaim.
King’s novels and collections of short stories are filled with poignant wit and rely on oral storytelling to recreate history. King’s stories look at Native Canadian stereotypes, capitalism, materialism and imperialism with non-linear overlapping versions of the same tales that create a new, humorous yet theoretical perspective.
King also made a name for himself as a successful children’s writer with the Governor General nominated A Coyote Columbus Story in 1992. In 1998, Coyote Sings to the Moon was published, followed by Coyote’s New Suit in 2004. King’s children’s stories revolve around the Native American trickster figure and infuse historical elements with popular culture entertaining for children.
From Radio Host to Political Leader
Through his successful writing career King managed to also find time to add radio personality and lecturer to his resume. His popular CBC radio show The Dead Dog Cafe Comedy Hour highlights his humorous outlook on Native American history and today’s society. In 2003 King was asked to join the Massey Lecture Series with The Truth About Stories: A Native Narrative. He was the first Aboriginal Massey lecturer.
Following his success with radio, writing and lecturing, King was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 2004, an extreme honour for any Canadian.
In 2007 King also made his directional debut on the big screen with I’m Not the Indian You Had in Mind, a short film presented at the American Indian Film Institute.
2007 also marked King’s switch into politics with his inauguration as the New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for Guelph.
He may not be the Indian You Had in Mind, but Thomas King is certainly paving the way with Canadian literature, radio, politics and whatever else the future holds.
