Kent Monkman: Being Legendary

This exhibition is included with General Admission. ROM offers free admission for Indigenous peoples.

This is my story. Some of it is true. Much of it is truer than your truth.

This âcimowin—this story that carries history and knowledge—begins in the stars and is about the land. We’ve been here for so long. There is too much to tell, and much I cannot say.

Those of you who are our people know that we have many different kinds of stories, for learning, to guide us forward, sacred stories, and of course âcimowina, true accounts like this one (although I do like to add a little something extra to make my stories more interesting). Our stories and language hold the knowledge that our peoples have carried since the beginning of time, before the light, before the first sound, before the land we stand on—the rock, the mountains, valleys and plains, oceans, lakes and rivers. Our stories honour the past and guide us forward.

I am Miss Chief Eagle Testickle. I am fluid with many forms. I am legendary. This is my story. Some of it is true. Much of it is truer than your truth. It is the âcimowin of our peoples. It is also your story, for we are all relatives.

--Miss Chief Eagle Testickle

Curated by Cree artist Kent Monkman, Being Legendary presents an installation of new original paintings by the artist alongside cultural belongings from collections at ROM.

Interpreted by Monkman’s shape-shifting, time-travelling, gender-fluid alter ego, the legendary being Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, the exhibition depicts how deeply Indigenous knowledge is embedded in the lands of Turtle Island. Cree and other Indigenous peoples have carried this knowledge in stories, songs, and artworks since time immemorial. 

Through the power of storytelling, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle reframes the forced interruptions of the colonial project on Turtle Island and honours leaders in the community who shine a light forward for future generations. 

Being Legendary is inspired by cultural belongings in the Museum’s permanent collections. The artist acknowledges the support of ROM in realizing the exhibition.