Eleven-year-old Jimmy McClean is the primary protagonist of In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse. Physically, Jimmy stands out from the other children in his class. Despite his Lakota heritage, he has blue eyes, light skin, and light-brown hair. He also has a white man’s last name, which is very different to the last names of the other Lakota children. Together, these features make him distinct from both his white and Lakota classmates. Initially, these differences make him feel isolated from his classmates, until he learns that the Lakota hero Crazy Horse shared many of his same physical traits.

Partially because of difficulties at school, Jimmy prefers nature and the outdoors, and has learned many outdoor skills from his grandfather, Nyles, including horseback riding. Jimmy is close to his parents, but Grandpa Nyles is his favorite family member, so he relishes the opportunity to undertake the multi-day road trip with him.

Jimmy is a dynamic character that evolves over the course of the story. Under the guidance of his grandfather, Jimmy’s nervousness and insecurity slowly disappear, until he gains the confidence to face his bullies. He takes inspiration from Crazy Horse’s life and gains a newfound courage as he learns about the many challenges that Crazy Horse faced, and develops a deeper connection to his Lakota heritage.