The Colony - A Beaver Condominium

Kent Monkman in front of his new sculpture “The Colony,” at Biidaasige Park Sept. 29. Credit: Lassonde Art Trail

Kent Monkman, a member of the Fisher River Cree Nation, has created his first public sculpture, The structure features playful beavers dancing, feasting and celebrating. It highlights the vital role of beavers in the natural, Indigenous and colonial histories of Turtle Island.

Monkman was inspired by an 18th-century engraving by Veremondo Rossi depicting beavers taking shelter in a similar apartment-like structure while being pursued by Indigenous hunters

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