Native Americans want to ditch the name Squaw Valley. A county supervisor says context matters

Roman C. Rain Tree, a member of the Dunlap Band of Mono Indians, has said Fresno County leaders have ignored his proposal to rename Squaw Valley. The earliest documented appearance of the name “Squaw Valley” in Fresno County dates to Aug. 8, 1871, when the Squaw Valley School District was created, according to a report compiled by Fresno library staff. Guevara, 71, said she personally supports the name change, “as an elder and a woman.” “Squaw Valley” reminds her of old western TV shows in which Native Americans — especially women — were treated poorly. “And he said the community should be involved with the new name.” Shortly before his mother died, in 2013, Rain Tree asked her if the tribe would ever gain federal recognition with the name “Squaw Valley” still in place.