CNN —California is stripping the word “squaw” – a derogatory term for Indigenous women – from dozens of place names across 15 counties, state agencies recently announced.
The updated place names are expected to go in effect by January 1, 2025.
The upcoming changes are part of nationwide efforts to examine and replace derogatory terms on geographic features.
The California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names approved renaming more than 30 locations, marking “a significant milestone for Native American women,” the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) said in a news release Friday.
These place names should never insult communities or perpetuate discrimination,” Wade Crowfoot, the CNRA’s secretary, said in the release.
Persons:
Gavin Newsom, ” Wade Crowfoot, Crowfoot, Deb Haaland, Bill No, Newsom, James C, Ramos, “, ” Ramos, CNN’s Sara Smart, Yan Kaner
Organizations:
CNN, Geographic, California Natural Resources Agency, Census, California, California Department of Forestry, Task Force
Locations:
California, “, Fresno County, Humboldt County, American, West Sacramento