While I was impressed with the visual presentation, I simply cannot fathom the editors’ choice of title: “Tonto Takes Charge.” I have tried reading several layers of irony into it, but it fails on every level. Considering that the article accompanying my painting consists entirely of direct quotations from me — an artist of Cree ancestry whose work challenges culturally dominant representations of aboriginal people — the title is just plain offensive.

Try to imagine a similar piece about an artist like Kara Walker, who confronts constructions of African-American identity in art history, running with the title “Little Black Sambo Takes Charge.” I see no difference, as both Tonto and Little Black Sambo are derogatory, one-dimensional characters created by white people.

In the context of the article, in which I make no mention of Tonto, it would seem that this racial epithet is being used to describe me. After all, the Hollywood stereotype, played by Jay Silverheels (real name Harold J. Smith) in the 1950s TV serial the Lone Ranger, is incapable of taking charge. Only real people can take charge. It follows that “Tonto Takes Charge” refers to me, a First Nations artist addressing these very clichés. The slur diminishes me, my work, and all native people, and it makes me realize how much more work still needs to be done.

Kent Monkman
Toronto, ON


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