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The Memoirs of Miss Chief Eagle Testickle #2
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
14 people are currently reading
448 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 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.
February 18, 2025
This volume covers the formation and expansion of so-called Canada, the Red River Resistance, decimation of the bison and acts of genocide against the Cree, residential school and generational trauma, told through the story of the women of one family. Miss Chief, who can observe and comfort but seldom act, explores the shattering of family, culture, and tradition. Monkman pulls no fewer punches in his writing than he does in his art, and this is a harrowing read, but it's also ultimately a beautiful one and a tribute to cultural resurgence and survivance. The writing and art are gorgeous and it's impeccably well researched, with detailed footnotes interwoven throughout the narrative and a Cree dictionary at the end.
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.
July 2, 2025
In this 2nd volume of The Memoirs of Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, we follow Cree artist Kent Monkman’s alter ego Miss Chief from 1 July 1867 to the present day. As I wrote of volume 1, this text is also at varying points humorous, devastating, informative, and deeply emotional. This volume dedicates much of its pages to the horrors of the scoop and residential schools as well, the impacts of colonialism on contemporary Indigenous peoples and communities, and Idle No More and Indigenous resistance and resurgence. Monkman is an incredible painter and I especially love that this text ends with portraits of many contemporary Indigenous activists and leaders, and that the endnotes detail a little about each one's work. Highly, highly recommended.
The text is supported by extensive research, included in endnotes, and a glossary of Cree terminology (which is used throughout the text) is provided. I would recommend engaging with both while reading.
Content warnings: colonialism, racism, racial slurs, sexism, misogyny, sexual assault, rape, addiction, cultural appropriation, genocide, murder, death, pandemic / epidemic, grief, human trafficking and kidnapping
The text is supported by extensive research, included in endnotes, and a glossary of Cree terminology (which is used throughout the text) is provided. I would recommend engaging with both while reading.
Content warnings: colonialism, racism, racial slurs, sexism, misogyny, sexual assault, rape, addiction, cultural appropriation, genocide, murder, death, pandemic / epidemic, grief, human trafficking and kidnapping
October 4, 2024
Pardon my language, but these books are so fucking good.
This one is v heavy as residential schools and the present day impacts of colonialism are a focus. That said, if you are a settler then that makes it all the more imperative to read this.
I suspect this may be one that hits differently as an audiobook*. You get the proper pronunciation of the various Cree words used throughout and the footnotes section with the two different narrators really shows the level of research that went into making this.
It is both academically rigorous and deeply personal, considering how much of what happens to the characters in the last third of the book are based on the experiences of members of Monkman's family.
Can't recommend enough!
*If you do decide to do the audio version you will miss Monkman's amazing illustrations so consider at the very least sourcing a hard copy to see those
This one is v heavy as residential schools and the present day impacts of colonialism are a focus. That said, if you are a settler then that makes it all the more imperative to read this.
I suspect this may be one that hits differently as an audiobook*. You get the proper pronunciation of the various Cree words used throughout and the footnotes section with the two different narrators really shows the level of research that went into making this.
It is both academically rigorous and deeply personal, considering how much of what happens to the characters in the last third of the book are based on the experiences of members of Monkman's family.
Can't recommend enough!
*If you do decide to do the audio version you will miss Monkman's amazing illustrations so consider at the very least sourcing a hard copy to see those
January 29, 2025
Ending felt rather weak but tbh I have no fucking clue how one writes a satisfying conclusion to the horrors of Canadian History so props to you KM
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.
March 23, 2025
Volume 2 of The Memoirs of Miss Chief picks up many generations after “the newcomers with their hairy faces arrived” and “there had been so much loss—our peoples had been, and were still being displaced, and change was happening at a rate that was fast, even for me, who had lived so long and seen so much.” For those who haven’t read Volume 1, the protagonist is a two-spirit/gender-fluid being from the spirit world, sent to earth to help her people, the Cree nation, a shape-shifter who lives mostly as a tall, beautiful man-woman in spike heels, imbued with all the natural human instincts, including fierce love, carnal desire, and a sense of humour. In this volume, which begins with Confederation, she connects with, even adopts as her own family, and follows several generations, through displacement, stolen land, war, children’s work camps (aka residential schools), the 60’s scoop, and all the emotional trauma of the individuals and communities affected by these cruel actions. Even though a work of fiction, these women are very much alive and we feel their pain and that of their contemporaries. It’s a difficult read, but in the end speaks of the amazing resilience of these people who are “still here!” Beautifully illustrated on high-quality paper with Kent Monkman’s acrylic paintings, the story is also told with humour and a very engaging literary style. Extensive well-researched endnotes give the true story, including stories of some of the main movers and shakers of the White world, much of which has not before been shared with all of us on Turtle Island.
Miss Chief ends with a strong parting message for her people and for all of us, including these words: “Understand what it means to be human beings in [kinship] with the land, water, plants, animals, earth and sky, all other beings, and with one another and the next seven generations. Do all that you can to care for one another. There is much work to be done, but don’t give up. Each of you can do something.” Highly recommended!
Miss Chief ends with a strong parting message for her people and for all of us, including these words: “Understand what it means to be human beings in [kinship] with the land, water, plants, animals, earth and sky, all other beings, and with one another and the next seven generations. Do all that you can to care for one another. There is much work to be done, but don’t give up. Each of you can do something.” Highly recommended!
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. “
Want to read
February 3, 2025***Who sucked me in?***
Booksandlala on YouTube in their 'reviewing books I haven't talked about 📚 a new style of monthly wrap-up'-video published on maandag 3 februari 2025
I realised I actually know nothing about the history of Canada. Mounties, Whales, schools where they murdered children, weird attachment to the British queen and politeness. That is it.
Also the cover is very interesting! The same for volume 1. Maybe I will try to get the box-set because that would be gorgeous to have on the shelf.
Booksandlala on YouTube in their 'reviewing books I haven't talked about 📚 a new style of monthly wrap-up'-video published on maandag 3 februari 2025
I realised I actually know nothing about the history of Canada. Mounties, Whales, schools where they murdered children, weird attachment to the British queen and politeness. That is it.
Also the cover is very interesting! The same for volume 1. Maybe I will try to get the box-set because that would be gorgeous to have on the shelf.
October 9, 2024
It doesn't get any better than this. Somehow told with humour and optimism, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle gives us access to the terrible, true history of Canada.
"I had yearned to help my people, but my purpose was to be a witness. Through my story, our people's stories are told again. They will be told until they are heard."
"I had yearned to help my people, but my purpose was to be a witness. Through my story, our people's stories are told again. They will be told until they are heard."
March 21, 2025
A very interesting and vividly indigenous point of view of indigenous history spanning from when their land was stolen to the modern day. The book creates an incredibly unique and personal point of view of these events through the eyes of miss chief. Unfortunately the book is a struggle to get through due to the constant flipping to the glossary of indigenous terms.
December 23, 2025
I loved Volume 2 even more than the first one. It was more difficult to read, as Vol. 2 covers the horrific residential school system and the Sixties Scoop. The information in these two volumes is history everyone should know. I am very much looking forward to reading/watching/listening to more from Kent Monkman, Urban Nation, and the Indigenous activists showcased at the end of this book.
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.
Want to read
January 9, 2025709.2 Mon v.2
June 26, 2025
Incredible.
November 7, 2025
Winnipeg mentioned
November 20, 2025
This series just fucking blew me away. After reading I felt like how I felt after I read Maus — like I cognitively understood the horrors of the Holocaust but for the first time I really felt it in my heart.
You follow Chief Testickle Woman from pre-contact through the slow and relentless death march of colonization. It’s fucking devastating and just never stops! And in the same way for the first time I felt the real grief in my heart.
And WOW Indigenous peoples were so magnificently queer and fluid!!! I felt a shift in how I felt about my own queerness. Colonization brought the shame and fear of our desires rather than it being in any way our natural state of being (I loved Chief Testickle Woman’s constant confusion about white peoples hatred of their queerness).
And somehow this book also managed to be HILARIOUS (not to discount it also being devastating) and so smutty and sexy. I am so grateful this story exists.
You follow Chief Testickle Woman from pre-contact through the slow and relentless death march of colonization. It’s fucking devastating and just never stops! And in the same way for the first time I felt the real grief in my heart.
And WOW Indigenous peoples were so magnificently queer and fluid!!! I felt a shift in how I felt about my own queerness. Colonization brought the shame and fear of our desires rather than it being in any way our natural state of being (I loved Chief Testickle Woman’s constant confusion about white peoples hatred of their queerness).
And somehow this book also managed to be HILARIOUS (not to discount it also being devastating) and so smutty and sexy. I am so grateful this story exists.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews