Truman is 1/8th Cherokee

For his work on SCOUT and other series, many people consider Tim Truman one of the greatest creators of Native-themed comic books. But Truman's fans aren't sure of his ethnicity. Some have declared Truman a Native, while Michael Sheyahshe (Caddo), author of Native Americans in Comic Books, has reported he's not Native.

Now comes a clarification from Truman himself on Sheyahshe's blog:Actually, truth be told, my great grandmother on my dad's side, Belle Truman (Little White Basket), was a Cherokee full-blood. Used to be, I would seldom tell Native folk that, because: 1) it's almost a joke with them--the "My grandmother was a Cherokee princess" thing. In my case, it's been verified, by photos and relatives. And 2) I wasn't raised in traditional Native ways. However, a few years back, when I was playing with Cherokee singer/songwriter Terry Strongheart, I met a really interesting fellow--a Sioux traditionalist and AIM member who was at the Wounded Knee siege in the 70's. Great guy. He convinced me not to be so bashful about such things.

Life's a journey, and we learn all we can and embrace it.

--Timothy Truman