Arizona
US renames sites in Arizona, other states with Native American slur
PHOENIX – Almost 70 geographical options in Arizona had been renamed Thursday by federal officers to exchange a phrase thought of derogatory towards Native American girls.
The Inside Division accomplished a yearlong course of of fixing out the names of almost 650 mountain peaks, lakes, streams, springs and different elements of the federal panorama that contained the phrase “squaw.”
Arizona ranked third on the listing with 67, in line with the U.S. Geological Survey.
In Maricopa County, 5 names modified, together with Little Squaw Creek to Odzilaayé Creek (additionally partially in Yavapai County) and Squaw Flat to Cooper Camp Flat.
Solely California, with 85, and Idaho with 72 had been greater than Arizona.
“I really feel a deep obligation to make use of my platform to make sure that our public lands and waters are accessible and welcoming. That begins with eradicating racist and derogatory names which have graced federal areas for a lot too lengthy,” Inside Secretary Deb Haaland stated in an announcement.
Haaland, born in Winslow however raised in New Mexico, is the primary Native American to guide a Cupboard company. She took workplace in March 2021 and in November declared the time period derogatory.
She ordered members of the Board on Geographic Names, the Inside Division panel that oversees uniform naming of locations within the U.S., and others to provide you with alternate options.
The time period originated within the Algonquin language and should have as soon as merely meant “lady.” However over time, the phrase morphed right into a misogynist and racist time period to disparage Indigenous girls, specialists say.
In 2008, the board agreed to Arizona’s various for the phrase when the state renamed Piestewa Peak within the Phoenix Mountain Protect to honor Lori Ann Piestewa.
The Native American solider died in an ambush in Iraq in 2003.
The Related Press contributed to this report.