Whychus Creek, Oregon by Ian Sane - www.flickr.com/photos/31246066@N04/4310948086/. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
In 2001, Indian women convinced the Oregon Legislature to rename all the "squaw" place names in the state. Since then, only 52 out of 172 place names have been changed. The process is slow moving and involves review by the Oregon Geographic Names Board and final approval by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Most of the changes have been recommended by tribes. But about 30 places -- mostly minor and obscure features -- will probably stay on the books. Of all states, Oregon had the most "squaw" place names. Get the Story:
Thirteen years on, progress on ‘squaw’ names is slow (The Bend Bulletin 7/14)
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