Campaign to Change The Name

The word “sq**w” represents the ongoing dehumanization of Indigenous women that—for two hundred years—has justified and normalized oppression, marginalization, and sexual violence against them. This depiction of Indigenous women has devastating and deadly consequences; California has the fifth-highest number of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People in the country. Today, more than 4 in 5 Indigenous women report having experienced violence, and more than 1 in 2 have experienced sexual violence.

          Learn more by watching the Change The Name Coalition Webinar.
          Lean more by reading the ACLU’s letter to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.
          Learn more by reading this Op-Ed in the Fresno Bee.

Native American scholars, activists, and leaders agree that stereotypical mascots and place names – far from “honoring” Native peoples – are profoundly damaging and further racist and reductive views of Indigenous peoples. Throughout the county, governments, schools, and sports teams are reckoning with this truth – and taking necessary steps to end the harm inflicted by names like “Sq**w.” But Fresno County has yet to do so.

• Indigenous communities in California are still seeking to heal from two centuries of indentured servitude, sexual violence, trafficking, forced relocation, boarding schools, and the widespread removal of children from their families through the child welfare system.
• The term “sq**w” is a racist and derogatory term that paints Indigenous women as nothing more than dirty, immoral, worthless creatures to be exploited, sexualized, and subjugated.
• This dehumanizing depiction of Indigenous women has devastating and deadly consequences; California has the fifth-highest number of cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People in the country.
• The “Sq**w Valley” Ski Resort – home to the 1960 Winter Olympics – announced its name change this year. Why hasn’t Fresno County followed suit?

Through our Indigenous Justice work, the ACLU of Northern California recognizes that Indigenous peoples continue to suffer from historic injustices as a result of their colonization and dispossession of their lands, people, culture, languages, and resources. We must not celebrate or whitewash that history with derogatory place names or ignore the impact of such names on Native communities living in California today.

The state of California was founded on the forced removal, enslavement, and genocide of Indigenous peoples. It is our collective responsibility to recognize these past injustices and how they impact Indigenous communities today, and at the very least, ensure that they do not endure.

Local Indigenous leaders and residents are calling on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors to live up to its stated values of “working together for a quality of life for all” and “respecting and embracing ethnic and cultural diversity” by changing the name of “Sq**w Valley.” In their petition, residents share that “the current name perpetuates a sexualized, exploitative, and humiliating narrative that continues to focus the desires and disgust of early European-Americans on the bodies of Native American women.”

Across the country, localities, schools, and even national football teams have realized the profoundly damaging impact of racist mascots and place names on Indigenous communities. The “Sq**w Valley” Ski Resort has joined the movement – and it is past time for Fresno County to catch up!

The Rename Sq**w Valley Coalition has worked for months to engage in constructive dialogue with the Fresno County Board of Supervisors and drafted a resolution that would rename Sq**w Valley. Unfortunately, the Board of Supervisors has refused to take up this important issue. While the coalition is vigorously pursuing other avenues to change this name, we still hope that the Board of Supervisors will listen to the community's call to replace the word sq**w with a dignified name that respects all of Fresno's community members. 

There is broad community support for this effort. Between the change.org petition and the ACLU NorCal petition in support, over 17,000 people have signed on. And at a June 2021 Rename S Valley webinar, community members and participants expressed overwhelming support for the campaign – over 90% of the community present voiced support for the renaming Sq**w Valley.

When asked “which statement best describes how you feel about the term ‘sq**w?’,” over 86% of people responded either: “I think we should listen to the people who are impacted by this word – especially Indigenous people in Fresno County – and follow their lead,” or “I find it deeply offensive and harmful.”

Read what folks are saying who have joined the campaign to Change the Name. 

1. Joy Small, Fresno, CA, 1-27-2021
   "The word is racist and extremely offensive! The Original People of Fresno County are still here. They are our friends and neighbors. Removing this hateful name is the very least we can do!"

2. Virgil Holt, Fresno, CA, 1-30-2021
   "It's time to update the narrative in a way that is respectful to the First Nations - this is far too long overdue."

3. Ramona Myers, Squaw Valley, CA 1-30-2021
   "I agree it is time for a change. I also am in favor of the name suggestion 'Nim Valley'. I would also suggest a traditional spelling I understand, Squaw, carries a different meaning to different folk. Thats for sure, but to the indigenous people of this area, it is not a flattering description of a woman or her genitalia."

4. Christa Church, Clovis, CA, 1-29-2021
   "It's time for more healing for our Indigenous people. I am Mono, and NO city should be named squaw. My Native American Heritage has been disrespected for generations. Now that you know the meaning of a word in our language, respect our lands and our heritage and bring healing by correcting a wrong that is far from right. Rename Squaw valley to Nim,  meaning the people. I invite you all to learn our beautiful heritage and language."

5. Vanessa Donnelly, Tollhouse, CA, 2-14-2021
   "We now know better, we need to address our errors and those of our ancestors. We've done enough damage to indigenous women and girls, now let’s lift them up"

6. Fernando Moreno, Squaw Valley, CA, 1-31-2021
   "Change this nasty, racist name now. It's incredible that Mr. Magsig and the mayor of Orange Cove are opposed to this. It raises some serious questions about their ability to lead."

• Sign the petition to Change The Name.
• Send a Message to your County Supervisor. We have a call script and the info for the members of Fresno County Board of Directors. 
• Join our email list and attend our virtual events and rallies.