Bangor, Maine (AP)
A legislator is proposing that a state law that removed “squaw” from Maine place names be expanded to include variations of the word.
Rep. Wayne Mitchell, who represents the Penobscot Nation, has introduced a bill that would prohibit using the word “squaw” or “squa” as part of another word or phrase in a place name. A law passed in 2000 bans the words by themselves on the grounds that “squaw” is a derogatory term for Indian women.
A legislator is proposing that a state law that removed “squaw” from Maine place names be expanded to include variations of the word.
Rep. Wayne Mitchell, who represents the Penobscot Nation, has introduced a bill that would prohibit using the word “squaw” or “squa” as part of another word or phrase in a place name. A law passed in 2000 bans the words by themselves on the grounds that “squaw” is a derogatory term for Indian women.