Replacement of the derogatory racial term on federal lands reaches final step.
The Department of the Interior announced last week that the Board on Geographic Names officially cast their final vote to approve 650 replacement names for geographic features bearing the slur “sq___.” The board consulted with nearly 70 tribal governments to come up with more than 1,000 replacement names, and Thursday’s vote represents the final step of a nearly 10-month-long process to fully remove the derogatory term from federal lands.
“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,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. The U.S. Geological Survey website lists the new names with a map of the locations.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Haaland as she oversees efforts to comply with the president’s equity, inclusivity, and diversity policies.
- For Interior Department officials as they carry out their duties of stewarding public lands.
- For the president and his administration as sites around the nation undergo renaming efforts.
Sources: Department of the Interior
