Squaw Creek must be renamed soon

Squaw Creek, soon to become ..... Creek. photo by Jim Mitchell Squaw Creek has disappeared. Well, almost. Actually, in name only. As of the end of this year, the word "squaw" will be prohibited on any Oregon public property.

On June 27, 2001, Oregon Senate Bill 488 declared, "A public body may not use the term 'squaw' in the name of a public property." However, Section 2 of the bill allows a public body that is currently using the term "squaw" in the name of a public property to do so until January 2, 2005.

As the deadline draws near, the renaming process affects Sisters' own Squaw Creek.

There are 13 "squaw" place names and related administrative names in the Sisters Ranger District. The renaming process has been on the books for years.

In a recent communication with the City of Sisters, Maret Pajutee of the Sisters Ranger District expressed concern about the renaming of Squaw Creek, "As the Forest Service moves to complete a Wild and Scenic River Plan for Squaw Creek, we would like to find a name for this important river that is acceptable to both the Tribes and the community."

Various dictionaries agree that "squaw" originates from the Algonquin language (Massachusetts) and means simply "female" or "woman."

Some sources refer to "squaw" as a derogatory term referring to part of a woman's anatomy.

That argument has become broadly accepted.

The renaming process seems to rest with the Warm Springs tribes. The public and other agencies can submit a name, but the tribes are given preference in the choice of a name.

Once a name is submitted to the Oregon Geographic Names Board (OGNB) the board solicits input from the public and any governmental agencies that may be involved. OGNB then makes a recommendation to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which makes the final decision.