(birds chirping) (wind whistling) - The word pioneer originates in middle French, (Kaïa speaking in French) referring to soldiers who would clear a path for the army or to miners, pulling resources from underground.

(gentle music) (Kaïa speaking in French) Just as it was in 1865 when Walt Whitman wrote about the purpose and life of the 19th century American pioneer.

With a poetic call to arms, the American pioneer was wooed to settle the West.

Land was something to be tamed, rivers to be seized, and Indigenous people to be trampled.

In the context of United States history, a pioneer's efforts included devastating acts of environmental destruction, as well as displacement of and violence toward native people.

Society continues to celebrate the pioneer that innovates at all costs.

(gentle music) (Kaïa speaking in French) In modern times, the word pioneer has evolved to a nearly unreachable level, reserved for a select few.