To the United States Secretary of the Interior, United States Secretary of Agriculture, United States Board on Geographic Names and Oregon Geographic Names Board:
We, your memorialists, the Seventy-first Legislative
Assembly of the State of Oregon, in legislative session assembled, respectfully
represent as follows:
Whereas geographic places in the State of Oregon contain the term “squaw,” including Squaw Back Ridge in Jefferson County, Squaw Creek in Deschutes and Jefferson Counties, Squaw Gulch in Wallowa County and Squaw Island in Coos County; and
Whereas the term “squaw,” originating from an Algonquin
word for female anatomy, is derogatory, a racial slur, and as such, offensive
to Oregonians, Indian and non-Indian alike; and
Whereas in 1993 the Oregon Geographic Names Board
recommended that the federal government change the name of Squaw Butte in
Harney County to Paiute Butte; and
Whereas in chapter 652, Oregon Laws 2001 (Enrolled Senate
Bill 488), the Seventy-first Legislative Assembly would prohibit public bodies
in this state from using the term “squaw” in names of public property; and
Whereas the states of Maine, Minnesota and Montana have
removed the term “squaw” from the names of public property; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon:
(1) We call upon the United States Secretary of the
Interior, United States Secretary of Agriculture, United States Board on
Geographic Names and Oregon Geographic Names Board to remove the term “squaw”
from names of geographic places in the State of Oregon.
(2) A copy of this memorial shall be sent to the United
States Secretary of the Interior, United States Secretary of Agriculture,
United States Board on Geographic Names, Oregon Geographic Names Board and to
each member of the Oregon Congressional Delegation.
Filed in the office of
Secretary of State April 20, 2001
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