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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huckleberries Online

Q: Should English Be Used for Geography Changes?

Issue: Change the names - but let's use English/Dan Hammes, St. Maries Gazette-Record

More Info: In his column, Dan Hammes argues that the Coeur d'Alenes are correct to seek to change the names of places that are derogatory, like Squaw Bay. But he goes further by saying that the tribe and state officials should eschew Indian names that most can't pronounce or know the significance behind them.

DFO: Dan makes a decent point because names for area creeks include Squeatah, Seastem, Spotwean, Awtskin or Shewtem. I can't remember what the Coeur d'Alene name for NIC Beach is. And I just learned to pronounce Q'emiln Park in Post Falls (KA-mee-len). Is there a chance to honor the tribe without using jaw-breaking Indian names?

Question: Should Squaw Bay and other offensive geographical names be changed to difficult Coeur d'Alene ones?



Huckleberries Online

D.F. Oliveria started Huckleberries Online on Feb. 16, 2004. Oliveria's Sunday print Huckleberries is a past winner of the national Herb Caen Memorial Column contest.