Governor launching new bid to protect peak name (Squaw Peak story update)

azfamily.com ^

[chance33_98]

Governor launching new bid to protect peak name

PHOENIX -- The governor is gearing up for another fight over the naming of Piestewa Peak.

Monday, she picked up support from representatives of Indian tribes from across the nation.

Gov. Janet Napolitano received an enthusiastic welcome as she addressed delegates to the midyear conference of the National Congress of American Indians. In her speech about mobilizing voters, improving Indian education and dealing with homeland security issues, the governor also talked about the renaming of what used to be Squaw Peak and Squaw Peak Parkway.

“(Squaw) is an offensive part of our history, best left in the past,” she said.

Immediately after Napolitano spoke, the Indian congress unanimously approved a resolution in support of the name change.

The president of the tribal governments association, praised Napolitano for "historic and unprecedented" efforts to change the name of the Phoenix landmark to honor Army Pfc. Lori Piestewa, a Hopi woman from Tuba City believed to be the first American Indian woman killed in combat while fighting for U.S. forces.

The Tribune reported last week that two members of the state Board on Historic and Geographic Names want the name change to be reconsidered at a July meeting.

They claim the state rushed into the decision.

[Taft in '52]

I understand that "squaw" is a Massachusett word meaning "woman," so why would she find it offensive?

[bedolido]

This has been happening here in Idaho as well. I wonder if they'll change the name of the Grand Tetons (French for Large Breasts, am pretty sure).

[occam's chainsaw]

why would she find it offensive?

Because she's an idiot who is pandering to politically correct lemmings.

Squaw references here, here, and here.

[bruin66]

There's also Squaw's Tit in Oregon.

[RonHolzwarth]

from before: "I understand that "squaw" is a Massachusett word meaning "woman," so why would she find it offensive?"

Well hell, Nigeria is a country in Africa that is mostly Black, but that does NOT make "nigger" an acceptable word! Although you can still say Nigerian.

The problem is that, over time, words aquire distasteful meanings. Kinda like shit. Before the word feces was in use, there was just no other way to say it!

"Squaw," like many other terms, now conjures up images that do not at all coincide with the way we should be viewing our fellow human beings.

[Sloth]

"Squaw," like many other terms, now conjures up images that do not at all coincide with the way we should be viewing our fellow human beings.

Like what?

[Chewbacca]

They could save a lot of time and money changing maps and signs if they just renamed it 'Squab Peak'.

[MARTIAL MONK]

Maricopa County has its own Squaw Tits. They are on some maps as "Squaw Breasts". Napolitano is out to de-Squaw them, too.

[B Knotts]

Baloney. The only people that think squaw means something bad are the politically correct idiots that came up with that false and stupid theory.

[Sacajaweau]

The political correctness bit is a farce. Many of the names, squaw, braves, warriors, etc. were put in place to honor the indians. There was no insulting intentions. It was the truth of the past. They were warriors. It was their pride. Women were referred to as squaws. Little by little, the indians are deleting their own history. Foolish arrogance.

[Taft in '52]

"Squaw," like many other terms, now conjures up images that do not at all coincide with the way we should be viewing our fellow human beings.

If that's the case, why the sudden concern? For decades and decades, the term "squaw" has been widely used--in place names, in a type of bread, and so forth. I find it odd that this term suddenly become offensive in the past year or two.

[muawiyah]

The Abenaki Indian word for "woman" is and has been "squaw" for millenia. The only mis-use of the word has occurred on the part of other Indians who found some enjoyment out of calling Abenaki women "whores".

It's not the word "squaw" that's offensive ~ rather, it's the usage by non-Abenaki.

The mis-use should be terminated, not the word.

It's truly unsurprising that Gov. Janet Napolitano should prefer to encourage non-Abenaki to continue to call Abenaki women whores than to counsel them to the contrary.

BTW, this whole thing has something to do with the efforts by some recognized Indian tribes to deny the existence of the Abenaki who continue to not be recognized by the federal government. Someone is afraid the BIA "pie" will be subdivided further should that recognition ever become official.

[occam's chainsaw]

The problem is that, over time, words aquire distasteful meanings.

No, the problem is that a whiny bunch of liberals decide they need a new crusade. They create a problem where none ever existed, bolster their arguments with fabricated lies, and label all opposition as evil bigots.

I don't have any idea what kind of images "squaw" conjures up in your mind, but I get the mental picture of a beautiful young Native American woman. Maybe you have just been conditioned to think differently.

[muawiyah]

The young woman on Land O Lakes butter!

[occam's chainsaw]

Naah, more like one of these beautiful young maidens:

or this beauty, or this hottie, or this one, or...