Squaw Term Going

Sun., April 4, 1999

Staff

Geographic names

Following overwhelming support from the legislature, Montana Gov. Marc Racicot was expected to sign a law this week that will gradually rid state geographic names of the word “squaw,” interpreted by some as a slur against Indian women.

Republican Rep. Jack Wells of Bozeman was one of only two legislators to vote against the bill.

“I mean no disrespect, but there are a lot of names that are offensive to people, and I don’t think we need to start changing all the names.”

The bill requires state agencies come up with new names that would take effect gradually.

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