ABSTRACT

Kent Monkman's use of the term 'two-spirit' and the development of 'Miss Chief' are directly related to his interest and knowledge of settler colonial politics, which sought to eradicate Native people, men and women, who adopted gender roles outside of the norm. Monkman describes 'Miss Chief' as an embodiment of the resilience of Native people with the ability to adapt, innovates, and borrows from other cultures while retaining their identity as well. Monkman's knowledge of the ordered hierarchies created within these visual fields permits a post-colonial reinterpretation of history that troubles notions of Indian identity created by imperialist narratives focused on the 'disappearance' and genocide of Native peoples. Catlin's placement of himself in an authoritative position of power goes a long way toward perpetuating settler projects complicit with the 'disappearance' of native peoples and the theft of Indian land for profit.