“The English word squaw is an ethnic and sexual slur,[1][2][3] historically used for Indigenous North American women.[4] Contemporary use of the term, especially by non-Natives, is considered offensive, derogatory, misogynist and racist.[1][2][3][4][5][6]”
– Wikipedia
According to Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows CEO of, Ron Cohen, Squaw Valley is considering changing its name due to the word “squaw” being a racial slur.
We realize it is time to re-examine our use of the term “squaw” and will be evaluating the options. We are committed to doing the right thing and being part of the solution toward equality and respect.
– Ron Cohen, Squaw Alpine CEO told SnowBrains on 6/22/20
The acknowledgment that the word “squaw” as a racial slur is an old concept.
The removal of the word “squaw” from place-names has been going on for decades.
What would Squaw Valley change its name to if it was to change?
Likely “Olympic Valley” since that is already the name of the town that Squaw Valley ski resort resides within.
“The term ‘squaw’ was used, actually, throughout history in America to dehumanize the native people. By dehumanizing them and attaching a name to them like this, it allows them, in their minds, to be able to commit crimes against them without any guilt. Because they’re no longer a person, they’re a ‘squaw,’ they’re a name.”
“If we can get Squaw Valley re-done, or Squaw Resort, or any of that up there I think I can retire happy.”
– Darrel Cruz, the director for the Tribal Historic Preservation Office for the Washoe tribe of Nevada and California told the Sacramento Bee
Place-Names Changed From “Squaw” in the USA:
The word “squaw” has already been removed from place-names in the following states:
- Oregon
- Montana
- Idaho
- Wisconsin
- South Dakota
- Maine
- Minnesota
In 1995, northern Minnesota removed the word “squaw” from 19 locations all over the state.
“Squaw Rock” on highway 101 in California was renamed “Frog Woman Rock” in 2011.
“Squaw Ridge” in the Sierra Nevada, CA was renamed “Hungaleti Ridge” in 2018.
Phoenix, AZ mayor Kate Gallego wants to change the name of 2 streets in Pheonix:
- Squaw Peak dr
- Robert E. Lee st
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Is this not part of our responsibility to decolonize and provide reparations? This is how we are anti-racist.
Well changing the name will definitely make up for all the increased pollution and carbon emissions that the proposed village development will bring to the tahoe area in the span of the next quarter century or such.
So ya name change will make plenty of reparations for increased air pollution. Sure why not?
Corporate greeders anyone….
SquallyPine Peaks! but also Namaste Meadows on the map.
Viking valley!
Honor these people and their history and culture!!
Anglo-saxon, waspy people who immigrated to these lands are the biggest insult to indigenous people and animals for that matter.
Lets kill all wolves coyotes etc etc too right.
No wonder this country is in such a mess for electing such a Prepostuously Obese Total Unaware Sociopath POTUS named tRump.
Jeebus people jeebus…..
http://www.native-languages.org/abenaki.htm
OMG I just puked. Everyone is going soft in this country. Let’s call it PC Valley. Or Wet Paper Towel Valley.
This country is loosing its marbles.
I’m down for big chub
“Squaw means the totality of being female. Squaw is NOT an English word. It IS a phoenetic rendering of an Algonkian word.
As a traditionalist and historian, I am deeply suspicious of how modern political attitudes are often applied to the past without careful consideration of origins.
We, as indigenous peoples, must not let other cultures, even other “Native American” cultures, define, and defile, our languages and symbols. I even hesitate to use the term. Native American,” since it implies that we are Native citizens of a colonialist power that conquered and divided the original nations in this continent (none of whom were “American”), but that’s another discussion.
http://www.nativeweb.org/pages/legal/squaw.html
Jennifer,
wow, that’s extremely interesting. Thank you for sharing…
Smart woman thank you for posting that.
Maybe the iklowns that run SQUAW Valley will get a clue.
Founder and original owner Wayne Poulsen was a man of integrity, WWII military veteran and knew he wasnt slurring anyone.
As far as slurring goes…snowbrains…wtf.
The only name that is possible for squaw is…
“BIG CHUBBY”
Please vote for big chubby!
Alex was a slave owner, remove any likings of him.
Heavy Sarc.
This shit has gone too far….
I know call it Snowbrains do it for Miles
What the ………….. we are at this point in America squall Valley’s name is racial Fuck come on man
You could name it walnutcreek or oh I know silicon valley
Y’all can have it
Call it Squawk valley cause people who ski there are too into themselves anyway.
Alpine always has and will be the mellower ski experience for sure, no attitude like Squawk.
Namaste meadows is as mellow as it gets.
And base to base gondola, ugggh.
Q. What did the alpine local skier say when his buddy asked him if he’s wants to take the gondola over to squawk valley?
A. Na-maste…..
How about Alpine Meadows?
What about Alpine Meadows?
Olympic valley is the easy way out since, as the article stated, the name is in use already. BUT, since the pending gondola to connect Alpine and Squaw will make the area essentially one ski area, I hope they consider a name that flows off the tongue better than “Squaw-Alpine” does currently. Maybe “5 Peaks” for Granite Chief, Squaw Peak, KT-22, Ward Peak, and Scott Peak.
–And before you comment, yes the gondola probably will not truely make the areas one, but Heavenly has set a precedent with one name for what is really two ski areas.
It never fucking ends
Minor correction-Arizona should actually be added to the list of states that have removed this name. Squaw Peak and the Squaw Peak freeway were renamed Piestewa after a Hopi military woman who died in service.
Squalpine Medley
Yeah, lets name it Douch Valley 🙂
Squa-wal-pine isnt racial slur at all since the two mountains merged under same ownership dontcha know??
Unless youre drunk as and get thrown out of the Cantina bar.
Oh right that closed….operator owed corporate big past due rent amounts.
Bigger issue though is the J1 visa South American seasonal employees will not be able to return this year to staff on mountain ops so what is Alterra planning to do? No mention from anybody on such
Mountain ops will be very limited especially during mid week times.
Hire locals? Sure and house them where in the newly built employee housing that squa-wal-pine so intelligently built?
Overall skier numbers and gross income down
Corporate bean counters already making skiing less enjoyable with oversold and underdelivered product.
Aint gonna get better btw
Glad at least to ski when it was privately owned and not as oversold as it is now.
Bigger things to worry about than some name
Don’t shed any tears for the Cantina. It wasn’t the great place it used to be anymore. It was in decline for years and got down right gross. The place was closing pre-covid regardless, so this one isn’t actually a victim of corporate greed, but rather died a slow death by mismanagement.
The Can’t-clean-er was so frikken filthy Covid19 couldn’t even survive there.
Was much better imo when it was under previous ownership as Red dawg saloon yo