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'Squaw' still Utah moniker

lets tell everyone this is an offensive term, so that they will know they should be offended, so that they will ask us to change the name, so we can pat ourselves on the back for being champions of political correctness, even though our actions don't show near as much regard for native americans as our faux-compassion does.

This part native american isn't offended even a little bit by the word squaw. It just reminds me of my heritage and the fact that my ancestors played a big part in the history of the state of Utah.

What is next? Renaming our entire state? Deseret? Yeah right...

Squaw Peak is on the North side of Rock Canyon, not the south side of Provo Canyon. That is akin to saying Lone Peak is on the north side of American Fork Canyon, despite the fact that there is a lot of geography in between. Maybe if we spent more time caring about actually geography, and less about the meaning of the names and words, we might be better off as a society.

I have never heard anyone refer or even question the name Squaw Peak in a derogatory fashion. Maybe it happens, but this is just an excuse to dredge up hatreds, not ease pains.

The article outlines how a lot of people think the term "squaw" is offensive, then they go to the trouble of making a list of every single place with the word, subjecting those who might be offended (not me) to several repeatings of it. Priceless.

Tired of the word police.

I note, from reading the article, that it cannot be linguistically determined for sure if the word even comes from derogatory origins. Is this a case of overwhelming public outcry requesting change, or is this a case of a small handful of politically correct individuals "demanding" that the rest of society change to suit their personal whims? What's next? Personally, I think we should abolish the name "willow creek" from all maps because my wicked stepmother used to beat me with a willow, and whenever I hear the term "willow" it conjures up vivid memories of the psychological damage done to me in my poor, unfortunate childhood!

If the term "squaw" is offensive, then simply omit it. Then as a gesture of friendship and respect, let the Native Americans rename the locations using it. At the same time lets bring back the original name of Utah Lake, to Timpanogos lake. It's much more fitting for the area.

MHP: very sensible proposals. In my state the word "squaw" was toss out many many years ago and we seem to be ok. It is a derogatory word.

Having the local Native Americans select a better word would be cool. It is time. Things change, and hopefully, for the better. Many monikers that people used for places have been replaced by better monikers that we can explain to children or foreign visitors. It is ok.

The only problem with renaming Utah Lake to Timpangos, Timper..., well... is the spelling. We would have to have a major re-education effort on that one. But it would be shortened to "Timp" Lake by the users.

Interesting proposals.

I'm not sure why I read this article... I'm sure it was meant to be serious, but rather, I found it to be quite humorous.

I'm sure we will soon have many people with signs, marching and chanting around the state capital for this ever important change.

Even worse than reading the article, was the waste of time, I just spent typing in this comment...

Let's just rename it "Honky" peak. Or maybe "Cracker" peak. I don't think caucasians will cry about it. People need to get over themselves.

like park city pointed out - I'm glad we have the pc police to let us know what should offend us. George Washington was a slave owner - should we abolish his name from the history books and landmarks? Should we just assign a number to everything e.g. -"valley 14"? That we would be a colorful world.

Did anyone else giggle about Squaw Gulch in Beaver County? I sure did.

Was this a slow news day? It sounds like the reporter was bringing something to light that isn't even an issue with Native Americans in this area.

Rename it "Pioneer Peak" and put an end to it!

My wife and I courted by going up to Squaw Peak frequently. I had no idea the word comes from the Mohawk word "ojiskwa" � a derogatory term referring to female genitalia. My wife gets a big kick out of that (and is currently laughing hysterically as she punches me for writing this!)

Are there any "Native Americans?" If you watch the history channel they say that the first people came to this land from some other continent. That means there are no "Native Americans." We are all emigrants.

No one mentioned Squaw bread.

Now that we know the true meaning of the word "sqaw", "Sqaw Bread" takes on an entirely new meaning as well!

Like most agencies, the federal and state Geographic Names boards are probably understaffed and over-worked. Since having politically correct names is vitally important to our national security, I propose creating a new Federal Department of Feel Good Names, which would be responsible for changing all politically incorrect names (geographic, sports teams, organizations, etc.) to something not offensive to anybody.

We live in perilous times. Just think how nice it would be to fret over war, poverty or disease instead of such a major issue as whether the word "squaw" is offensive or not. Perhaps convening congressional hearings would be the place to start resolving this issue. God knows it would take a little time away from doing their usual damage. By the way you forgot squaw trail. If we're going to offend, let's do our homework and at least do it well.