California to remove racist term for Native American Woman from more than 30 places

California Officials Take Bold Step to Remove Racist Term Towards Native American Women

Officials in California are actively working to eliminate a derogatory term, “squaw,” from more than 30 locations in the state. This term, which has been deemed racist by the Secretary of the Interior, is specifically targeted towards Native American women. In a groundbreaking move, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2022 into law in 2022, mandating the removal of this offensive term from all geographic features and place names in California by January 1, 2025.

The California Natural Resources Agency, in collaboration with Native American tribes in the state, is spearheading this initiative to address the historical trauma and oppression faced by Indigenous communities. The agency emphasized the importance of recognizing and rectifying past injustices through the removal of the derogatory term.

A recent statement on social media by the agency described this effort as a “bold new step towards healing for past injustices.” The full list of new names for the affected locations has been carefully selected with input from Native American tribes and will be released shortly to the public.

Geneva Thompson, the Deputy Secretary for Tribal Affairs at the Natural Resource Agency, emphasized the significance of this initiative for Indigenous people. Thompson highlighted the importance of acknowledging historical wrongs committed against Native Americans and taking proactive steps towards healing and reconciliation.

The California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names has committed to implementing approved replacement names by January 1. This comprehensive effort to remove the derogatory term “squaw” from public spaces reflects a commitment to honoring and celebrating the diversity of California’s communities while rectifying past injustices.

For further details and insights on this important initiative, Fox News Digital has reached out to the California Natural Resources Agency for comment. Stay tuned for updates on this groundbreaking effort to promote inclusivity and respect for Native American communities in California.