Officials in California are working to remove racist terms for Native American women at more than 30 locations, according to the state’s natural resources agency.
Removing the term “squaw,” which was deemed “derogatory” by the Secretary of the Interior in 2021, is part of AB 2022, which was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2022. The law calls for the removal of the term “all geographic features and place names in the state” by January 1, 2025.
“This term is recognized as a racial, ethnic, and gender-based slur, particularly for Native American women. Ending it is an important step in acknowledging the ongoing trauma and oppression faced by Native communities. “, officials said in a news release. .
In a statement on social media, the agency called the move “a bold new step toward redressing the injustices of the past.”
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A California ski resort whose name included a derogatory term for Native American women has been renamed Palisades Tahoe. ((Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images))
A complete list of California’s new names is not currently available but has been selected with the help of California’s Native American tribes and will be released soon, the natural resources agency told The Associated Press in an email.
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Three California delegates from the Indian Rights Association met with Representative Harry Sheppard of California to lay their claims before Congress. Delegates are Julia Ross Gardner from The Piote, Celestine Pico Van Blu from Pachanga and Thomas Largo from Cahuilla. (Getty Images)
“This is a very important step for indigenous peoples,” said Geneva Thompson, deputy secretary for tribal affairs at the Natural Resources Agency.
“Recognizing the historical wrongs that were committed against Native Americans is extremely important, but we need to take the next step toward healing,” Thompson said. “While differences exist between people, we can build communities that reflect and respect and celebrate those differences, rather than isolating and perpetuating historical wrongs.”
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The California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names says it will implement the approved alternative names by January 1.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the California Natural Resources Agency for comment.
