Facebook Twitter Email
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2003

"I'm wondering if during her short life Army Pfc. Lori Piestewa was ever referred to as a "squaw." It will never happen now. She has earned that much. Not just for herself, but for every woman like her.

There have been suggestions over the years to remove the word from parks and public facilities. But these suggestions have failed. Those who like the word point out that in many dictionaries, "squaw" is simply defined as a Native American woman. They say that Indians who find the word offensive are thin-skinned and that non-Indians who believe the word is derogatory are either misinformed liberals or the softheaded victims of an educational system that has replaced historical fact with out-of-control political correctness.

Given that, I'm wondering now if there is anyone out there who would dare to call Pfc. Piestewa, the first Native American servicewoman to die in combat, a "squaw." I have been checking the newspaper headlines and the TV broadcasts for days and I haven't seen it yet."

Get the Story:
E. J. Montini: Who would call warrior 'squaw'? (The Arizona Republic 4/8)

Related Stories:
How to Donate to Lori Piestewa Memorial Fund (4/8)
Snow in Hopiland heralds return of Piestewa (4/7)
DoD confirms Piestewa killed in action in Iraq (4/7)
Indian Country mourns loss of Native soldier (4/7)
Hopi Woman Confirmed Dead (4/5)
Readers react to Piestewa tragedy (4/5)
Letters of Support Lori Piestewa and Family(4/4)
Piestewa: 'When is his mom coming home?' (4/4)
Rescued soldier has no information on Piestewa (4/4)
Military begins difficult identification process (4/4)
Rescued soldier watched unit members die (4/3)
Fellow Piestewa unit member rescued in Iraq (4/2)
Vigil held in Ariz. for missing Hopi soldier (3/27)
Hopi Tribe prays for return of missing soldier (3/26)
Piestewa Family Letter: Thank you for prayers (3/26)
Ariz. soldier reported missing (3/25)