Today, the term would be considered a ” ethnic, racial and sexist insult “to native women. Californian cities have until the 1er January to remove it from their urban space.
The Natural Resources Agency of California will remove the term ” Squaw “In a statement released on Friday, November 15 and relayed by the National Public Radio . This decision comes in the context of the 2022 law, signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, which prohibits the use of the term to designate geographical locations. The bill was proposed by Assemblyman James C. Ramos, a San Bernardino Democrat who became California’s first Native American legislator in 2018.
The term, which means “ young woman “ in Massachusett, the ancient language spoken by Native American tribes, was distorted by settlers and their descendants over time. Pejorative uses of the word have been found in 19th-century writings.e century, as in the journal of the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1805. “ Squaw “ also used to designate “ red-skinned women “ would therefore, in the light of these ancient usages, have become an insult today, expressing racism against native peoples. The term would also have a sexual connotation, designating Amerindian women as “sluts”. “ sex objects “. The word is considered a “ offensive ethnic, racial and sexist slurs, especially against aboriginal women “, adds Deb Haaland, Secretary of the US Department of the Interior.
“For a more inclusive future
“The names we give to places in California reflect our shared history and culture. These place names should never insult communities or perpetuate discrimination. The decision to remove this term from several places in our state helps to right a historic wrong against California’s Native American communities and represents an important step toward a more inclusive and positive future.” insists Wade Crowfoot, Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, in remarks relayed by the National Public Radio. Places bearing this name must therefore be renamed before January 1, 2025, reminds the Natural Resources Agency.
Other places have already been renamed in the state. This is the case for two streets in Sacramento, the capital of California. They are now called “ Tebti “which means “ streams flowing together “. The term was suggested by the Yocha Dehe Wintun nation, a Native American tribe, and makes a nice nod to the rivers that meet in West Sacramento. “ Through ongoing consultation, tribes can take the lead in removing such words from public places in California “said Anthony Roberts, President of Yocha Dehe Wintun.
In 2021, the Squaw Valley Ski Resor”, a popular winter sports resort in the town of the same name, Squaw Valley, now Olympic Valley, was renamed. From now on, we’ll be skiing on the slopes of Palisades Tahoe.