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The Memoirs of Miss Chief Eagle Testickle: Vol. 2: A True and Exact Accounting of the History of Turtle Island
From global art superstar Kent Monkman and his longtime collaborator Gisèle Gordon, a transformational work of true stories and imagined history that will remake readers' understanding of the land called North America.
For decades, the singular and provocative paintings by Cree artist Kent Monkman have featured a recurring character—an alter ego of sorts, a shape-shifting, time-travelling elemental being named Miss Chief Eagle Testickle. Though we have glimpsed her across the years, and on countless canvases, it is finally time to hear her story, in her own words. And, in doing so, to hear the whole history of Turtle Island anew. The Memoirs of Miss Chief Eagle A True and Exact Accounting of the History of Turtle Island is a genre-demolishing work of genius, the imagined history of a legendary figure through which a profound truths emerge—a deeply Cree and gloriously queer understanding of our shared world, its past, its present, and its possibilities.
Volume Two, which takes us from the moment of confederation to the present day, is a heartbreaking and intimate examination of the tragedies of the nineteenth and twentieth century. Zeroing in on the story of one family told across generations, Miss Chief bears witness to the genocidal forces and structures that dispossessed and attempted to erase Indigenous peoples. Featuring many figures pulled from history as well as new individuals created for this story, Volume Two explores the legacy of colonial violence in the children’s work camps (called residential schools by some), the Sixties Scoop, and the urban disconnection of contemporary life. Ultimately, it is a story of resilience and reconnection, and charts the beginnings of an Indigenous future that is deeply rooted in an experience of Indigenous history—a perspective Miss Chief, a millennia-old legendary being, can offer like none other.
Blending history, fiction, and memoir in bold new ways, The Memoirs of Miss Chief Eagle Testickle are unlike anything published before. And in their power to reshape our shared understanding, they promise to change the way we see everything that lies ahead.
For decades, the singular and provocative paintings by Cree artist Kent Monkman have featured a recurring character—an alter ego of sorts, a shape-shifting, time-travelling elemental being named Miss Chief Eagle Testickle. Though we have glimpsed her across the years, and on countless canvases, it is finally time to hear her story, in her own words. And, in doing so, to hear the whole history of Turtle Island anew. The Memoirs of Miss Chief Eagle A True and Exact Accounting of the History of Turtle Island is a genre-demolishing work of genius, the imagined history of a legendary figure through which a profound truths emerge—a deeply Cree and gloriously queer understanding of our shared world, its past, its present, and its possibilities.
Volume Two, which takes us from the moment of confederation to the present day, is a heartbreaking and intimate examination of the tragedies of the nineteenth and twentieth century. Zeroing in on the story of one family told across generations, Miss Chief bears witness to the genocidal forces and structures that dispossessed and attempted to erase Indigenous peoples. Featuring many figures pulled from history as well as new individuals created for this story, Volume Two explores the legacy of colonial violence in the children’s work camps (called residential schools by some), the Sixties Scoop, and the urban disconnection of contemporary life. Ultimately, it is a story of resilience and reconnection, and charts the beginnings of an Indigenous future that is deeply rooted in an experience of Indigenous history—a perspective Miss Chief, a millennia-old legendary being, can offer like none other.
Blending history, fiction, and memoir in bold new ways, The Memoirs of Miss Chief Eagle Testickle are unlike anything published before. And in their power to reshape our shared understanding, they promise to change the way we see everything that lies ahead.
264 pages, Hardcover
Published November 28, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 2, 2024
As suspected, this was a much more difficult read. While the first volume managed to maintain an element of lightness through Miss Chief's brand of horny humour, I think that mainly worked because of the element of distance from that historical period (pre-confederation). But with this volume covering some of Canada's darkest moments, and a large focus on residential schools, that wasn't possible here.
I wasn't sure how Miss Chief would fit into this particular period, but I think Monkman and Gordon did such an excellent job weaving her in. As tragedy and trauma pile up on her people, she loses her powers and her people lose their link to the natural world and their spirituality. Miss Chief finds herself powerless to help but continues to bear witness.
The history concludes on an optimistic note that I can only hope is proven true.
I wasn't sure how Miss Chief would fit into this particular period, but I think Monkman and Gordon did such an excellent job weaving her in. As tragedy and trauma pile up on her people, she loses her powers and her people lose their link to the natural world and their spirituality. Miss Chief finds herself powerless to help but continues to bear witness.
The history concludes on an optimistic note that I can only hope is proven true.
December 28, 2023
“Our people have lived through several apocalypses already, we are still here and we will always be here”
The more I read of the genocide inflicted on the indigenous peoples of Americas, the more I understand their unwavering solidarity with the peoples of Palestine.
This was so infuriating and heartbreaking to listen to but very educating. I will listen to volume one after this.
“They turned our settlement into a reserve. It was always our village but then it became our prison.”
“They came to our lands after committing horrendous acts on their own children”
“Children buried secretly without family without love, the rest of the world were shocked but we were not”
The more I read of the genocide inflicted on the indigenous peoples of Americas, the more I understand their unwavering solidarity with the peoples of Palestine.
This was so infuriating and heartbreaking to listen to but very educating. I will listen to volume one after this.
“They turned our settlement into a reserve. It was always our village but then it became our prison.”
“They came to our lands after committing horrendous acts on their own children”
“Children buried secretly without family without love, the rest of the world were shocked but we were not”
April 13, 2024
I really liked this; I just wanted even more. I know it's unreasonable, because there is far too much to cover in two volumes. This volume has a little more of a narrative: it follows a family through several generations, which is a good illustration of intergenerational trauma. Both volumes also include humour, including dirty jokes and sex scenes, and it's so refreshing to read about history from a queer Cree perspective and style. This is also, as you'd expect, very dark subject matter. Content warnings for child abuse, residential "schools", child sexual abuse, racism, violence, addiction.
February 14, 2024
The first volume spanned from the beginning of time (askiy) to the creation of the Canadian confederation. Volume Two navigates through the unfortunate narrative of Canadian history from the confederation era to the present day. In this poignant exploration, the focus is on a single family's saga, a heartbreaking story that unfolds across generations. Miss Chief, a millennia-old gender fluid being, bears witness to the genocidal forces and systemic structures that sought to dispossess and eradicate Indigenous peoples.
This narrative strings together historical figures and newly crafted personas, creating a narrative that delves into the repercussions of colonial violence. It unravels the harrowing tales of children in work camps, known as residential schools, the impactful era of the Sixties Scoop, and the disconnection faced in contemporary urban life. Despite the tragedies, Volume Two tells a story of resilience and reconnection, laying the foundation for an Indigenous future deeply rooted in the profound experiences of Indigenous history, a perspective uniquely offered by Miss Chief.
The Memoirs of Miss Chief Eagle Testickle defy traditional genres, seamlessly blending history, fiction, and memoir. A rather groundbreaking approach in format (at least in my experience) challenging us to reconsider the future of Canada, our relationship with the land and with traditions of native cultures. It ends with a refreshing forecast of a more pluralistic society with focus on community, love and understanding, and compassion for all things.
This narrative strings together historical figures and newly crafted personas, creating a narrative that delves into the repercussions of colonial violence. It unravels the harrowing tales of children in work camps, known as residential schools, the impactful era of the Sixties Scoop, and the disconnection faced in contemporary urban life. Despite the tragedies, Volume Two tells a story of resilience and reconnection, laying the foundation for an Indigenous future deeply rooted in the profound experiences of Indigenous history, a perspective uniquely offered by Miss Chief.
The Memoirs of Miss Chief Eagle Testickle defy traditional genres, seamlessly blending history, fiction, and memoir. A rather groundbreaking approach in format (at least in my experience) challenging us to reconsider the future of Canada, our relationship with the land and with traditions of native cultures. It ends with a refreshing forecast of a more pluralistic society with focus on community, love and understanding, and compassion for all things.
January 7, 2024
If I could, I would give this book 6 stars. Volume One was great, but this part of the history of Turtle Island is devastating... told in such a way that even if you thought you understood the trauma of residential schools, you will realize you probably haven't understood its magnitude. The intergenerational damage wrought on Canadian Indigenous people is deftly told through Miss Chief's his/herstory... and ends incredibly on a hopeful note. Extensively researched with relevant and fascinating footnotes. My only complaint is that the format of this book is just too small! Monkman's paintings are amazing to see in person (I am lucky enough to have seen many of his works including the Shame and Prejudice show) - having them cut in half/across 2 pages is just wrong! I was looking at them with a magnifying lens... here's hoping that this book is well read and can be reissued in a larger art book format so everyone can get a chance to more fully experience these emotional, funny, and thought-provoking works.
April 12, 2024
Residential ‘schools’
“ Some of these children survived by locking the tender parts of themselves away to keep themselves safe, but were never able to unlock those parts again. Some died while trying to escape. Some could bear the pain no longer and took their own lives. “
To have them taken by people who did not care for them, and to see them come home, if they did come home,often full of shame at who they were……….Some were able to find solace in our traditions, but some were so broken that they turned to anything that would numb their pain. ‘
“ it would be generations before the settlers finally believed the crimes that had been committed by their ancestors. When the newspapers reported the discovery of thousands of children buried secretly, without family, without love, the rest of the world was shocked. But we were not- my people had carried those horrors in their hearts for lifetimes. “
Future
“In these chaotic times, some people fear for our future, but my people have lived through several apocalypses already. We are still here, and we will always be here. “
“ Our people are rising. Our languages are in the air again, and our people are standing up in greater numbers. ….. The people remember. “
“ Some of these children survived by locking the tender parts of themselves away to keep themselves safe, but were never able to unlock those parts again. Some died while trying to escape. Some could bear the pain no longer and took their own lives. “
To have them taken by people who did not care for them, and to see them come home, if they did come home,often full of shame at who they were……….Some were able to find solace in our traditions, but some were so broken that they turned to anything that would numb their pain. ‘
“ it would be generations before the settlers finally believed the crimes that had been committed by their ancestors. When the newspapers reported the discovery of thousands of children buried secretly, without family, without love, the rest of the world was shocked. But we were not- my people had carried those horrors in their hearts for lifetimes. “
Future
“In these chaotic times, some people fear for our future, but my people have lived through several apocalypses already. We are still here, and we will always be here. “
“ Our people are rising. Our languages are in the air again, and our people are standing up in greater numbers. ….. The people remember. “
February 17, 2024
Same genius as Vol.1. Brilliantly put together. Tragic and disheartening, powerful and awful. Ultimately uplifting at the end.
It's just a completely different kind of devastation when you consume this history back to back. In conclusion, nothing feels more important than this.
It's just a completely different kind of devastation when you consume this history back to back. In conclusion, nothing feels more important than this.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews