"I wrote last week that Federal Way might name a school after the late Indian civil-rights activist Bob Satiacum. The former Puyallup Tribe chief was a hero of the Indian revival movement in the 1950s, '60s and '70s. Later, he was convicted of racketeering and fled to Canada, where he died in 1991.

'So he had a few chinks in his armor. Big deal � who doesn't?' said Ken Nielsen, a retired Seattle firefighter, who, like about half the 106 readers who responded, favored naming the school for Satiacum.

Some noted we have schools named after white leaders who repressed and abused Indians, including the first governor, Isaac Stevens.

But just as many said it would be a travesty to put Satiacum's name on a school.

'We might as well start naming our schools O.J. Simpson Middle School or John Gotti Elementary,' said Duncan McDonald of Seattle."

Get the Story:
Danny Westneat: More than a name is at stake with naming school (The Seattle Times 3/30)

Related Stories:
Column: Should school be named for late chief? (3/25)
Tribal members want school named for late chief (3/23)