Taking the "squaw" out of Squaw Creek

The burbling waters of ??? Creek?

Local activists are working on a plan to restore the health of Squaw Creek. However, if Senate Bill 488 were to become law, "Squaw Creek" would cease to exist altogether.

In reality, the creek itself would continue to flow -- but the name would be gone.

The change is part of a nationwide movement to end the use of place names bearing the word "squaw."

According to some sources, the word "squaw" can be interpreted -- in a Native American language -- as a vulgar anatomical reference and derogatory term for a native woman.

Although the reference is apparently linked linguistically to a single northeastern tribe, other tribes have been supportive of a call to erase the term from common usage.

Already, other states have passed bills similar to the one now proposed for Oregon.

Maine was among the first states to bar the use of the term for place names.

Idaho, however, was one state that recently declined to follow suit when a similar "squaw" bill did not pass.

Geographic names in Oregon come under the auspices of the Oregon Geographic Name Board (OGNB). The OGNB operates as an offshoot of the Oregon Historical Society and meets only twice each year.

The proposed renaming process in Oregon can be expected to be a little more complicated than the one in Maine.

According to OGNB member Richard Spray, of Bend, the state of Maine had only five geographic places bearing the "squaw" name, whereas Oregon has more than 150.

Maine's legislature further simplified the transition with a one-size-fits-all declaration that the word "moose" was to be henceforth substituted for the word "squaw."

Renaming over 150 different sites in Oregon is perceived as being a bit more problematic.

Recognizing that regional naming criteria may differ around the state, the Oregon proposal does not dictate any particular name change.

Rather, the bill simply states that "a public body may not use the term 'squaw' in the name of a public property."

At least 16 "squaw" geographic place names have been identified in Deschutes and Jefferson Counties; and none of these totals include city streets or county roads, which would also come under the exclusion.

The proposal would permit public use of existing "squaw" names until January 2, 2002.

On that date, presumably, public features -- such as Squaw Creek -- will be rendered nameless if no new name has been

assigned.

According to Spray, the OGNB has taken no official position on the bill but has pledged to allow sufficient time for public input on any name changes resulting from its passage.

Since the proposed act has already cleared the Senate and is headed for the House, it appears possible that the OGNB will have some busy months ahead.

The procedure for creating geographic names is well established.

However, in spite of the Senate's optimism for rapid implementation, Spray says that "name changes are NOT a speedy process."

It often takes a year for a name change to be given approval by the state board and another year to clear the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

Any citizen or local entity may propose new names for geographic features.

Applications for new names can be obtained from the OGNB at 1200 SW Park Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97205.