He did win those awards and monied awards because he said he was Indigenous as well as for his writing ability. He also misrepresented the Indigenous in his descriptions of Indigenous beliefs, etc. which a good number of these readers are thanking him for - not noting that they are incorrect, but that he had enlightened them about the Indigenous.  That is highly problematic.  There are a very high number of very talented Indigenous writers who deserve the awards and accolades just as much, if not more. He is not the be all end all.

How interesting there is all this support for a non-Indigenous writer pretending to be Indigenous, but because he looks great, sounds very Canadian, and is well-written, that's acceptable to the white community of success. Good grief. 'Palatable Indian', indeed.