Squaw Valley, California is one location distancing itself from the word "squaw."
RESTON, Va.-In December, the US Board on Geographic Names voted to re-name Colorado's Squaw Mountain that sits between Evergreen and Idaho Springs off Highway 103, also known as Squaw Pass Road. The federal government has already made changes online and is preparing to change maps and road signs to Mestaa'ėhehe Mountain. (Pronounced Mes-ta-heh.)
The change comes after filings from the Northern Cheyenne Tribe's objections and hearings in the Colorado Geographic Naming Advisory Board.
"It [Getting the name changed] was a grassroots effort. I'm thankful for all of the people that helped us," Teanna Limpy, tribal historic preservation officer for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, told CBS News in Denver. The term "Squaw" has a negative and even obscene connotation to some Native Americans. "It was a way to dehumanize women. To say basically to say that we were inhumane that we weren't worthy," explained Limpy.
Limpy was the one who suggested that the mountain be named after a woman who was an example of strength and courage.
Mestaa'ėhehe lived between 1810 and 1847 and married William Bent, of the family for which Bent's Fort is named. There she interpreted and smoothed over relations between people. The Forest Service is considering a placing a plaque to explain her history.
"It's part of reclaiming our history and reclaiming our stories within the state of Colorado because the Cheyenne people have a big presence of the state. And the only reasons that we're not there is because we're confined to our reservations now," said Limpy.
While the mountain and pass will change names on maps and signs, the roads bearing the Squaw Pass name will remain the same, until the town or municipalities that have the authority to change the name choose to do so.
This change comes on the heels of the Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows and historic Squaw Valley ski resort in the Lake Tahoe area renaming their site and resort Palisades Tahoe.
"More than one year ago, we came to the conclusion that it was time to change our name," said the new Palisades Tahoe officials. "The reasons were clear-the old name was derogatory and offensive. It did not stand for who we are or what we represent. And we could not in good conscience continue to use it. So we began a long and difficult process."
The process was more involved because of the history of the resort, its connection with the Olympics, and trademarks involving the name.
"The word itself is a constant reminder of the unjust treatment of the Native people, of the Washoe people," said Washoe Tribe Historic Preservation Office representative Darrel Cruz. "It's a constant reminder of those time periods when it was not good for us. It's a term that was inflicted upon us by somebody else and we don't agree with it."
Palisades Tahoe President and COO Dee Byrne also said "While this may take some getting used to, our name change was an important initiative for our company and community. At the end of the day, 'squaw' is a hurtful word, and we are not hurtful people. We are very proud of our resort's new name. It encompasses both of our mountains, captures the individuality of our people, and welcomes all guests to take part in our new chapter."
