Mediated encounters: native Americans in Swedish-American newspapers and processes ofcosmisation, 1857–1889

Abstract

Much is known about Swedes in America, but little is known about the portrayals of Native Americans in Swedish-American newspapers. Considering their centrality in Swedish American settler communities, this article explores newspaper portrayals as processes of boundary construction. By utilizing the Eliadean concept of cosmisation it is shown how and argued that newspapers served as canvases for Swedes to articulate, contest, and negotiate the boundaries of valorized social orders. Therein, religion, civilization, and race were predominant themes. Processes of cosmisation also highlight mythological motifs manifested in the newspapers. Specifically, settlers and missionaries were mediated as culture heroes and initiators of cosmisation and cosmogony.