https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/09/08/united-states-geographical-locations-native-american/8028282001/The U.S. government has renamed nearly 650 geographical locations that bear a racist and misogynistic slur for a Native American woman.
Hundreds of peaks, lakes, streams, and other geographical features on federal lands that carry the term “squaw” are now renamed with a descriptor or Indigenous language terms, such as Echo Peak, Texas, and Pannaite Naokwaide, Wyoming.
Originating from the Algonquin language, the term may have once simply meant "woman.” Over time, the word morphed into a misogynist and racist term to disparage indigenous women, experts say.
The initiative was led by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native American cabinet secretary. In November, Haaland declared the term derogatory and created a panel that takes suggestions from the public on changing places named with derogatory terms.
New names were submitted for official approval from the Board on Geographic Names, a federal body that standardizes place names in the U.S., and the National Park Service.
"I feel a deep obligation to use my platform to ensure that our public lands and waters are accessible and welcoming. That starts with removing racist and derogatory names that have graced federal locations for far too long," Haaland said in a statement.
