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By Chet Brokaw
Pierre, South Dakota (AP)
South Dakota needs to finish the job of getting rid of offensive names for creeks, lakes, gulches and other places because those old names cause hurt to Native American women and black people, according to American Indian activist Betty Ann Gross of Sioux Falls.
Gross said she was surprised to learn that the state’s renaming effort had stalled, so she asked the Legislature for help. At her urging, lawmakers this year passed a measure that continues the process of changing offensive names, which include the terms Negro and squaw.
Pierre, South Dakota (AP)
South Dakota needs to finish the job of getting rid of offensive names for creeks, lakes, gulches and other places because those old names cause hurt to Native American women and black people, according to American Indian activist Betty Ann Gross of Sioux Falls.
Gross said she was surprised to learn that the state’s renaming effort had stalled, so she asked the Legislature for help. At her urging, lawmakers this year passed a measure that continues the process of changing offensive names, which include the terms Negro and squaw.
