The Westerners: Mythmaking and Belonging on the American Frontier

Author Megan Kate Nelson explores how the American West took shape in the 19th century by highlighting communities that thrived even as frontier mythology erased them. Drawing from her book The Westerners, she examines federal and individual actions that fueled cultural tensions. She spotlights figures such as Sacajawea, more than just Lewis and Clark’s guide but an explorer who forged her own path; Jim Beckwourth, a biracial trader known for his cultural insight; and Polly Bemis, a Chinese immigrant who built a life in Idaho despite exclusion laws. Nelson also discusses several of the sources she used to write about the lived experiences of men and women who built the American West.