NATIVE GEOGRAPHIES Page 1 of 4
Your Name:
Geography / American Indian Studies 322 / 522
Professor Zoltan Grossman
Selected Tribal Nation:
EXERCISE #2: AMERICAN INDIAN PLACE NAMES & SACRED SITES
In this exercise you will be examining the tribal affiliation and meaning of Native place names in common
usage in North America today, and different possibly interpretations of the names. You will also be
examining the controversy over the “squaw” place name in a single state. Bring the completed exercise to
the wheelbarrow at the north end of the footbridge (Haas 169 in case of rain) on Mon., Oct. 4, 12 noon.
A. NAMES OF STATES OR PROVINCES
1. You should have received an e-mail with the name of a state or province as ‘A.’
This state or province is: Answer
2. Look the name up in “Native American Place Names”:
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/aihmnames1.html
The website gives this tribal origin of the name: Answer
The website gives this English meaning: Answer
3. Look the name up in “American Indian Place Names”:
http://freespace.virgin.net/john.cletheroe/usa_can/nat_am/names.htm
or any other source you can find through Google http://www.google.com
Try to find definitions that are different in some way from #2.
The website gives this tribal origin of the name: Answer
The website gives this meaning: Answer
4. Did you find any discrepancies between different sources? How do you
Interpret any differences?
Answer
B. PLACE NAMES IN WISCONSIN
1. You should have received an e-mail with the name of a Wisconsin place name as ‘B.’
This place name is: Answer
2. Indian Names on Wisconsin’s Map (in P-266B or the Library Reference Collection E78.W8 V64)
gives this tribal origin(s) of the name:
Answer
The book gives this English meaning(s):
Answer
3. The Romance of Wisconsin Place Names (in P-266B or the Library Reference Collection F579 G3)
gives this tribal origin(s) of the name:
Answer
The book gives this English meaning(s):
Answer
4. Did you find any discrepancies between the two sources? How do you
interpret or judge any differences? (Please remember the place name, its location, and one
credible translation, because we will be putting Post-it notes on the Wisconsin map in the hall.
(Wisconsin atlases can be found in the Reference Collection at G1415.D45 or G1416.E63 C6)
Answer
C. PLACE NAME CONTROVERSY
1. You should have received an e-mail with the name of a state as ‘C.’
This state is: Answer
2. Go to the U.S. Geological Survey National Mapping Information website
to log on the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS):
http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnis/web_query.gnis_web_query_form
3. Next to “Feature Name, enter the term “Squaw.” Next to “State or territory,”
enter the name of the “C” state from your e-mail. Make sure that
“Query variant name?” is checked “No” (the default setting). Hit “Send Query.”
4. Your search came up with how many instances of the term “Squaw”? Answer
Please print out your search and attach it to this page.
5. Your search includes the names of counties. Print out the county map of the state at
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/county_outline.html (If it prints too large, shrink the percentage in
Page Setup.) Another source for county maps (in PDF) is at
http://www.census.gov/geo/www/maps/stco_02.htm Using colored pencil, shade in the counties
that have “squaw” features (some may have more than one). Please attach this map.
6. In the Atlas of the North American Indian, check your county maps against the map of tribal
reservations (pages 222-23). Do you notice that the “squaw” place names are situated close to
reservations (that is, close to Native rural populations)? If so, which tribe(s) do the reservations
represent?
Answer
7. In your Atlas of the North American Indian, check your county maps against the map of treaty-ceded
territories (page 220). What tribe(s) historically controlled the area where the “squaw” place
names are now located?
Answer
8. Using Google http://www.google.com and the websites of major newspapers in the state, review the
state’s controversy over the use the “squaw” place name. Besides the state name and “squaw,”
search with the specific place names, and words such as “change,” “object,” or “offensive.” These
articles should not cover only the national controversy, but any complaints from Native American,
women’s or human rights groups about the local place names. If you cannot find articles, e-mail
tribes, media and other groups! Please attach 1-2 articles or letters that help sum up the
controversy, or at least refer to it. Any information specific to the state will suffice.
9. Interpret the articles about the place name controversy in the state. Where have complaints
originated, and what do they argue? Does the tribal affiliation of the Native people involved
correspond to your finding in #6 and #7? (If only a reservation name is given, cross-check with the
“Indian Lands in the United States” map in our classroom.) What other interests have opposed the
place names? What other interests may have responded in support of the old place names, and with
what arguments? Has legislation been proposed to change the place names, and what has been its
outcome? ( If you find little controversy in the state, speculate as to why there is so little.
Remember: you may have a state with few or no “squaw” place anmes because they have already
been changed!). If you are interested, take a look at the Name Change Application links:
http://www.clbs.k12.mn.us/Main/Indian%20Education/namechange.html
Answer
D. SACRED SITES IN TRIBAL NATION
1. What is your tribal nation case study?
Answer
2. Research any sacred site controversies that affect the tribal nation, or are of concern to tribal
members. List 1 to 4 of these controversies by location and the particular “threat” to the site.
You may go back as early as 1990.
Answer
3. Briefly discuss these controversies, and their status at the time of this exercise.
Answer
4. How would you relate these controversies to the material in the Valerie Taliman reading and the
Basic Call to Consciousness, also in the syllabus readings links? (Don’t be vague—demonstrate that
you have done the readings.) You can also relate the controversies to the Sacred Sites powerpoint
and In the Light of Reverence video, if we have viewed them.
Answer