This was sent to me from rootsweb staff because it was sent to the subscribing address instead of straight to the list. I don't know who the person was who sent it, but guess I would be remiss in my duties as list owner not to also forward messages from the opposite opinions on the subject of SQUAW! I must tell you all that I started the list because I need help on my Native American research as well and do not have any resources at my fingertips to help anyone except what I also find on the internet or what other people help me with, and then I only give the information out on here because there are a lot of new people to genealogy research and hope the duplication of information does not displease those of you who are 'old hats' at this. (Hope I am not offending anyone by that term.) I try not to get involved in things like this, but Nalora has been a good friend to me (although I have never personally met her), and because this has happened in the past, I also take offense when someone doesn't like what she has to say. At least she is honest and only states historical facts (as she interprets them) or as others have interpreted them in the books she reads. Why can't history be that and not a continual thorn in our sides today? I guess what we read or see in email or what we hear is all a matter of interpretation to each and every one of us. Again, I apologize if I have offended anyone. I cleaned up the message below so it would not be so long. Guess it wouldn't be if I hadn't put my 2 cents in. Jacque ----- Original Message ----- From: <CHOCTAW-L-request@rootsweb.com> To: <scope@ou.edu> Cc: <CHOCTAW-admin@lists.rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2000 8:37 PM Subject: Re: [CHOCTAW] My apologies and goodbye > >From CHOCTAW-L-request@rootsweb.com > > SQUAW - Facts on the Eradication of the "S" Word http://www.main.nc.us/wncceib/squaw.htm American Indian women and men all around the United States and Canada reject the use of the word squaw in reference to American Indian women. The word has been imposed on our culture by European Americans and appears on hundreds of geographic place names. Suzan Shown Harjo brought the issue to national attention on the Oparh Winfrey Show back in 1992. Since that time projects to eliminate the use of the word on geographic sites have formed in Minnesota (Dawn Litzau and Angelene Losh), in Arizona (Delena Waddle and Seipe Flood), in California (Stormy Ogden), and in Iowa (Fawn Stubben). Many other states are forming groups to erradicate the use of the word from geographic place names and women's sports teams. > 1.When people argue that the word squaw appears in the dictionary, remind them that the word is also identified as derogatory. The Thesaurus of Slang lists the term squaw as a synonym for prostitute, harlot, hussy, and floozy. > 2.When people argue that the word originates in American Indian language point out that: > In the Algonquin languages the word squaw means vagina. > In the Mohawk language the word otsikwaw means female genitalia. Mohawk women and men found that early European fur traders shortened the word to squaw because that represented what they wanted from Mohawk women. > Although scholarship traces the word to the Massachusset Indians back in the 1650s, the word has different meanings (or may not exist at all) in hundreds of other American Indian languages. This claim also assumes that a European correctly translated the Massachusset language to English--that he understood the nuances of Indian speech. > Attitudes of white supremacy account for the need of seperate identifing terms such as squaw and buck. In order to justify the taking of the land, American Indian women and men had to be labled with dehumanitizing terms. Europeans and European Americans spread the use of the word as they moved westward across the continent. > 3. When people say "it never used to bother Indian women to be called squaw, respond with the following questions and statement. > Were American Indian women of people ever asked? Have you ever asked an American Indian woman, man, or child how they feel about the word? (Do not say the word yourself, simply call it the "s" word) then state that it has always been used to insult American Indian women. > 4. When people ask "why now?" explain that: > Through communication and education American Indian people have come to understand the derogatory meaning of the word. American Indian women claim the right to define ourselves as women and we reject the offensive term squaw. > (taken from the web page of American Indian Movement, Southern California Chapter) > "American Indians are a living people NOT mascots" >