“The term ‘squaw’ has been meant to be used as a derogatory word or a dehumanizing word for native women.” –Teanna LimpySquaw Mountain in Colorado could be seeing a name change after The Northern Cheyenne Tribe filed application to do so. CBS4 reports by some definition ‘squaw’ is a term with a sexual origin by nature used to describe a female body part.
The tribe wants to rename of the mountain to honor a Cheyenne hero. Mestaa’ėhehe, also known “Owl Woman.” Mestaa’ėhehe lived between 1810 and 1847 and married William Bent, of the family for which Bent’s Fort is named. There she interpreted and smoothed over relations between people.
“She picked up various languages. She was a good negotiator. She coordinated trade. She was basically like a queen of commerce.” –Teanna Limpy
In Clear Creek County where the mountain resides, there have been meetings about the potential name change. The commission voted in June in support of the proposal. We will update this story and developments come in.
