Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, will replace 600 federal landmark names that includes the word “Squaw”.
The Department of Interior noted that the term is an “offensive ethnic, racial and sexist slur, especially for indigenous women.
“Words matter”, said Ms. Haaland, “particularly in DOI’s work to make our nation’s public lands and waters accessible and welcoming to people of all backgrounds. Consideration of these name replacements is a big step forward in our efforts to remove derogatory terms whose expiration dates are long overdue.”
DOI is seeking public comment on name replacements for more than 660 geographic features that contain the word.
Haaland is the first Native American to serve in the cabinet in U.S. history
