Feds Remove Ethnic Slur from Place Names in Michigan

(Michigan News Network) – Federal officials have renamed 32 sites on federal lands in Michigan to remove an ethnic slur from their names.

The Interior Department says “squaw” has historically been used as a racial and ethnic slur particularly offensive for Indigenous women. Some of the renamed sites include Paint Lake — formerly Squaw Lake — in Oakland County, Quanicassee Creek — formerly Squaw Creek — in Saginaw County, and Ojibwa Island — formerly Squaw Island — in Charlevoix County.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland says she feels obligated to ensure that public lands and waters are accessible and welcoming.