PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — An acclaimed novelist, short story writer and creator of the popular CBC radio serial “The Dead Dog Cafe Comedy Hour” will be speaking at the University of Maine at Presque Isle on Thursday to address issues related to the Native American experience.
Thomas King, the first speaker in UMPI’s 2009-2010 Distinguished Lecturer Series, will touch upon the issues when he presents “An Evening Wasted with Thomas King” at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Campus Center.
King was raised in California by his Cherokee father and Greek mother. He earned his Ph.D. in English literature in 1986, and since then has taught American and Native Studies at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, and the University of Minnesota. While in Minnesota, he was the chair of the American Indian Studies program for several years.
During the lecture, King, who has lived in Canada for most of his life, will ask the question, “What is it about us that you don’t like?” and speak about the Native American experience in the North American imagination. He will loop together native oral stories, history, politics and popular culture.
King said during a recent interview that he got involved in Native American affairs when he was about 20.
“I think the question ‘What is it about us that you don’t like?’ is one that is four or five hundred years old,” he said. “North Americans have had a love-hate relationship with native people. There have been clashes but also times of collaboration.”
Growing up, King said, he was exposed to the cultures and cultural practices of his mother and father.
“Do I practice my Greek heritage all the time? No,” he answered. “Do I practice my Cherokee heritage all the time? No. But I did get more involved in Native American affairs after I grew up a bit.”
He said he has opinions on a number of Native American issues, some of which he addresses in his lecture. He acknowledged that one of his beliefs is that it is crucial that Native Americans hold on to the land that they own.
“A lot of our languages have been lost,” he said. “Losing the land would be a huge blow to Native Americans.”
His background is a major reason why King is one of Canada’s leading writers of native fiction. He uses humor as a storytelling strategy and has become known for his complex characters that highlight the ironies and contradictions of contemporary life, while challenging common stereotypes about native people.
He said that humor gets his points across and helps open up the audience to his ideas.
“I think that the best storytellers use humor,” said King.
His first novel, “Medicine River,” was published in 1990 and was runner-up for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. It was made into a television movie that starred Native American actor Graham Greene. It won Best Screenplay at the American Indian Film Festival, and was nominated for a Gemini award.
King’s second novel, “Green Grass, Running Water,” was shortlisted for the Governor General’s Award in 1994 and won the Canadian Authors Award for Fiction.
King edited an anthology of contemporary Canadian native literature the same year “Medicine River” was published, titled “All My Relations.” He has written numerous award-winning short stories, as well as critical pieces. King has written three children’s books, and is the creator and writer of the popular radio serial “The Dead Dog Cafe Comedy Hour,” a CBC program based on The Dead Dog Cafe within “Green Grass, Running Water.”
In 2003, King was asked to deliver the Massey Lectures, sponsored by CBC Radio in cooperation with Massey College at the University of Toronto, according to the CBC Web site. The Massey Lectures were inaugurated in 1961 and have been heard on the CBC radio program “IDEAS” since that program’s creation in 1965.
Also in 2003, King was named the recipient of a National Aboriginal Achievement Award for arts and culture from the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.
King is now a senior fellow of Massey College at the University of Toronto, and a professor of English and native literature at the University of Guelph.
He has never been to Maine before and hopes to take on other speaking engagements while he is in the state. King also will read from and sign copies of his book at noon Thursday in the Allagash Room of the Campus Center. The campus and community are invited to attend this free event.
The University’s Distinguished Lecture Series was established in 1999. Each year, the UDLS Committee sponsors five to six speakers who come from Maine and beyond, representing a range of disciplines and viewpoints. The speakers typically spend two days at UMPI meeting with classes and presenting a community lecture.
King’s lecture at UMPI is free and the public is invited to be a part of this special evening. For more information about his lecture or his reading, contact the Media Relations Office at 768-9452.