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An extensive review of more than 22-hundred place names in the U.S. National Park system shows many may reflect colonialism, oppression, or white supremacy. KLCC’s Brian Bull has more.
Natchee Barnd is an associate professor of Ethnic Studies and Native American studies at Oregon State University. He says locally, sites across Crater Lake National Park were included for analysis.
“We did see that there was one called Devil’s Backbone and we weren’t clear on the origins. So, while we did the research on these, we don’t always come to the conclusions where we’re not always able to say for sure what the intent is. But a lot of times the word “Devil” gets attached to Indigenous peoples, communities, or cultures, in this sort of Christian/non-Christian binary.”
Barnd says he’d like people to use this research to understand how place names came to be, and to help develop alternatives that don’t celebrate the removal or destruction of Native communities. He says beyond parks, other sites – including buildings – can be re-evaluated.
The research, titled “Words are Monuments”, is in the latest edition of the journal, People and Nature.
A bill to ensure Native Americans are included in the renaming of the University of California Hastings College of Law is set for a committee hearing in the California State Assembly on Tuesday. The college is named for a land speculator who built his fortune committing atrocities against Northern California tribes. Yuki people would like the college to take a name in the Yuki language. During a hearing on the college name in March, tribal representatives recounted the massacre of Yuki people by Serranus Hastings. They say the name change by Yuki people would be part of the healing process.
The measure, introduced by Native American State Rep. James Ramos (D-CA), was amended in March to include a provision requiring consultation and collaboration with the school and tribal representatives. The California Legislature named the school in state statute in 1878 and because of the legislative action a state statute is now required to rename the campus. In 2021, the college board approved changing the school’s name and has been in discussion with tribes.
For the first time in two years, the Miss Haskell pageant was held in person over the weekend at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. As Rhonda LeValdo reports, it was a time of celebration for the tribal college and now the royalty will be representatives of the school.
Due to the pandemic, the pageant for Haskell Indian Nations University was not held and the student ambassadors continued their roles for two years. Finally able to start again, Haskell Brave Alexander Many Goats (Diné) said he was glad to see all the support for the ladies competing for Miss Haskell.
“It’s pretty amazing, it’s beautiful especially during the pandemic. I feel like it really changes peoples’ mindset coming to Haskell. I’m glad a lot of people showed up and showed their support for the university.”
While there were no entries for Haskell Brave, there were five ladies in the running for the coveted title of Ms. Haskell. Winning was Aysa Benally (Diné), whose platform for the next year will be mental health for students.
“My platform was based on the importance of and awareness of mental health, because mental health affects all aspects of our life, the way we interact with each other, the way we make decisions and so, I wanted to bring more awareness and resources to students.”
Benally is also a member of the Haskell Volleyball team track and field team.
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