The Times podcast: The fight over Squaw Valley’s name
“Squaw” was the name of a long-forgotten Native American village that was located near the summit of Mount Shasta. But in June 2017, the California-based outdoor recreational company Squaw Valley was on the verge of being named for the Mount Shasta park — the same one that had been given the unpronounceable “Squaw Valley.”
The name “Squaw Valley” was selected by the Board of Supervisors. The supermajority board chose names on a “feelings” basis, and the name was not officially recognized until December, when it was incorporated into the new Mount Shasta State Park.
The name “Squaw Valley” had become a point of contention among many local residents, who said the name was an offensive misnomer. They said it was the same with the more common Mount Shasta, and their concerns about losing money to companies who capitalize on their locales were not unfounded.
The Times/Salinas Valley Record: Inside the battle over Squaw Valley
After a lengthy legal battle, the Board of Supervisors has decided to keep the supermajority’s decision a secret. The Supervisors voted 6-1 to keep the name “Squaw Valley” private.
The Supervisors agreed to keep secret the name selected and incorporated into Mount Shasta park, which is situated south of Mount Shasta, but did release a letter regarding the decision that addressed the concerns of the residents.
The Supervisors’ decision to keep the name secret came after a request for a review, which the State Lands Commission granted.
The supermajority board’s decision to keep the name secret was based largely on the argument that it was insensitive to residents, as well as the decision that keeping it secret is the best, most cost-effective option.
“While we appreciate the interest of the public in Mount Shasta State Park and are pleased with the many contributions of the California Forest Service and Mount Shasta park employees, we believe that the public is best served by keeping the naming controversy private on the ground that both our history and future of Mount Shasta State Park are best protected by keeping the name ‘Squaw Valley’ private,” the board wrote in the letter.
The controversy over the name Mount Shasta continued
The Shasta County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to rename Mount Shasta