A racist time period for a Native American lady can be faraway from almost three dozen geographic options and place names on California lands, the state Pure Assets Company introduced Friday.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2022 signed a invoice into legislation that bans use of the phrase “squaw” in future place names and ordered the company rename all locations that used the slur, together with on streets, bridges, public buildings and cemeteries, the Los Angeles Occasions reported Friday.
New names have been chosen in session with California’s Native American tribes for over 30 places in 15 counties.
The California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names will work to implement authorized alternative names by Jan. 1.
One instance is within the metropolis of West Sacramento, the place native officers labored with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation to develop two new avenue names to exchange the slur.
The title really helpful by the Tribal Council of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is “tebti,” which is a phrase and blessing that interprets to streams that circulate collectively.
“With continued consultation, tribes can lead initiatives to eliminate such words from California’s public places,” stated Anthony Roberts, tribal chairman.
A full record of latest California names was not obtainable Friday however can be made public shortly, the pure sources company instructed The Related Press in an e mail.
Assemblymember James C. Ramos, a Democrat from San Bernardino who grew to become California’s first Native American state lawmaker in 2018, authored the invoice.
He’s a resident of the San Manuel Indian Reservation and member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe.
In 2021, a well-liked Northern California ski resort modified its title to Palisades Tahoe as a part of efforts nationally to handle a historical past of colonialism and oppression in opposition to Native People and different individuals of coloration.
US Secretary of the Inside Deb Haaland additionally moved in 2021 to rename any geographic options or location names on federal lands that use the time period, together with dozens in California.
