"Professor's False Claims of Native American Roots Lead to Resignation and Controversy"
Ethnic studies professor Andrea Smith has agreed to resign from the University of California, Riverside, following years of controversy over her false claims of Indigenous American heritage. Smith, who faced criticism since 2008 for claiming she was Cherokee, reached a settlement agreement with the university, allowing her to retire in August 2024 without investigation. The agreement also grants her retirement benefits and an honorary emeritus title, while the university will cover up to $5,000 of her legal expenses. Smith's case is one of several high-profile instances of academics falsely claiming Indigenous heritage, sparking concerns about the misrepresentation of identity and colonization within academia.