LI Isle Renamed After 'Sq___' Term Deemed Offensive

SOUTH OYSTER BAY, NY — An isle in South Oyster Bay, in addition to 10 other geographic spots in New York State and across the country, will officially be removed of the name "squaw" as part of historic efforts to remove the offensive term.

Squaw Island is now called South Island, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The names of 10 other locations in New York State containing the word "squaw"— including Essex County, St. Lawrence County, Rensselaer County, Yates County, and three in Hamilton County — were also changed, according to the list of all new names and a map of locations.

The renaming was part of a final vote Thursday 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.

The action 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.”

Thursday'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. Next steps are expected to be announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior in the coming weeks.

In 2018, the name of another geographical location on Long Island was changed. Formerly known as "Negro Bar Channel", in Inwood the waterway was renamed as "Joseph Sanford Jr. Channel", in honor of a firefighter who died in the line of duty.