Groups recommend new creek name

Spokane and Whitman counties and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe have agreed that Squaw Creek should be renamed for pioneer farmer John Paulson.

Their recommendations and letters of support for John Paulson Creek will be considered by the Washington State Board on Geographic Names in May. The consensus developed at the board’s Sept. 21 meeting, when several descendants presented Paulson as an alternative to two names already under consideration.

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe had suggested Awtskin, a phonetic spelling of the tribal word for lookout, as part of a now largely successful drive to rid their traditional territory of offensive “squaw” names. A number of residents countered with Jack Pine.

Whitman County commissioners had endorsed Jack Pine as the new name for the creek and the canyon through which it flows in Whitman County. Spokane County commissioners took no position on what to call their portion of the creek, and the state names board agreed in September only to apply the tribal name to the canyon.

The tribe’s representative, Raymond Brinkman, expressed support for the Paulson name at the meeting, and tribal Chairman Chief J. Allan followed up with a formal letter of endorsement.

Allan cited the testimony of Paulson’s grandson, Norman Paulson, that John and Nancy Paulson had graciously received tribal members as they traveled through the area. Tribal elders had shared fond memories of the couple’s hospitality, so the tribe would be “happy” to endorse the Paulson name, Allan said.

Whitman County commissioners added their support Sept. 17, and Spokane County commissioners unanimously followed suit last week.