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                       September 5 1996                           UNITED STATES        [Image]
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                                Last stand for Wild West place names

                                   FROM QUENTIN LETTS IN NEW YORK

                        RESIDENTS of Minnesota are refusing to comply with a
                        new law which demands that place names incorporating
                        the word "squaw" be changed.

                        Critics of the rule, introduced last month, say it is
                        political correctness gone mad and will dilute the
                        pioneer heritage of the old Wild West. Supporters of
                        the measure argue that "squaw", the term used by white
                        settlers to describe Indian women, is offensive to
                        native Americans.

                        The law was passed after pressure from Indian groups
                        whose linguists investigated the derivation of "squaw"
                        and claimed that it was a French corruption of an
                        Algonquin slang term for the female reproductive organ.

                        So it is that a quiet spot such as Squaw Pond in
                        Minnesota's Cass County has been officially renamed
                        Scout Camp Pond. Nearby Squaw Lake has become Nature's
                        Lake and people looking for a Squaw Creek will have to
                        get used to Fond du Lac Creek.

                        In far-flung Lake County, however, residents have
                        described the law as an absurdity and their refusal to
                        change the name of Squaw Bay could lead to court
                        action. Local officials offered to change the name to
                        Politically Correct Bay, but this was turned down. The
                        people of Squaw Lake township offered to rename it No
                        Name Lake but this was also rejected.

                        The Department of Natural Resources has said it will
                        take advice from the state attorney-general. "We intend
                        to accomplish this," an official said.

                        People are also wondering what the future holds for the
                        likes of Breast Island, Bastard Butte and Cripple
                        Creek.

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                                           Copyright 1996.

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