Offensive 'Sq___' Term Prompts Renaming Palos Inlet, Calhoun Island

ILLINOIS — The word "squaw" was officially removed from the name of two Illinois sites, including one in Palos Park last week, following historic efforts by federal officials to remove the offensive term from geographic spots across the country, officials recently announced.

Laughing Squaw Sloughs, which is an inlet that is situated near Papoose Lake in Palos Park, was recently changed to Cherry Hill Woods Sloughs based on its proximity to the wooded area in Cook County.

Calhoun Island, which was previously known as Squaw Island in downstate Calhoun County, was the other Illinois location that was affected by the decision to remove the offensive term, which was used in nearly 650 sites around the country, the Department of the Interior announced.

The renaming was part of a final vote last week by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names on replacement names for nearly 650 "geographic features" that included the offensive word, which was historically used as an ethnic, racial, and sexist slur, particularly for indigenous women.

"Noting that there are unique concerns with renaming ..., the [Board on Geographic Names] will seek out additional review from the local communities and stakeholders before making a final determination," according to a U.S. Department of the Interior news release.

The renaming is an important process and marks a significant step in honoring ancestors "who stewarded our lands since time immemorial,” according to Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.

“I feel a deep obligation to use my platform to ensure that our public lands and waters are accessible and welcoming. That starts with removing racist and derogatory names that have graced federal locations for far too long,” she said. “I am grateful to the members of the Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force and the Board on Geographic Names for their efforts to prioritize this important work. Together, we are showing why representation matters and charting a path for an inclusive America.”

Last week’s final vote reflected a months-long effort by the Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force that was established by Haaland and included representatives from the Department’s Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, National Park Service, Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, and the U.S. Geological Survey and the Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service, according to the news release.

The task force received more than 1,000 recommendations for name changes, and nearly 70 tribal governments participated in nation-to-nation consultation, which yielded another several hundred recommendations, according to the news release.

While the new names are effective immediately, the public can still propose changes for any geographic feature — including those announced Thursday — through the regular Board on Geographic Names process, according to the news release.

The task force considered only the derogatory term "squaw," but a process is underway to formally receive public comment regarding other possible offensive terms used for U.S. sites. The next steps are expected to be announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior in the coming weeks.