GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Montana Geographic Names Advisor

Geographic Name Change Request

Change Squaw Creek to In-moolsh Creek
Chouteau County, Montana

Status = Approved

Description stream, 3.4 km (2.1 mi) long, in Lewis and Clark National Forest, heads on the E side of Highwood Mountains at 47o28’42”N, 110o27’59”W, flows SE into Cottonwood Creek 13 km (8 mi) SSE of North Peak, 45 km (28 mi) SSE of Fort Benton; the word In-moolsh is of Salish origin meaning “place of cottonwood”
Location 47°27’15”N, 110°26’42”W
PLSS Location Secs 21,28,33&34, T20N, R10E
Proposal to change a name considered by some to be derogatory
Proponent Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes; Pablo, MT
Not Squaw Creek
Administrative area Lewis and Clark National Forest
Previous BGN Action None
See also
GNIS ID 791373
Local Usage None found
Published Squaw Creek (USGS 1979, 1984, 1995; SummitPost website)
rrent name, Squaw Creek, applies to a 3.4 km (2.1 mi) long stream located in Chouteau County, approximately 63 km (39 mi) east of Great Falls. The stream flows into Cottonwood Creek. The origin of the stream’s current name has not been determined; the earliest map on which the name has been located is the 1979 USGS topographic map. The proposed replacement name, In-moolsh Creek, is of Salish origin and according to the proponent means “place of cottonwood.” This proposed change has the support of the Montana House Bill 412 “Squaw Name Change” Advisory Committee and the American Indian Caucus of the Montana State Legislature. The U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have both indicated they have no objection to the proposed change, while the Chouteau County Commissioners have no opinion. The Montana Geographic Names Authority is in support of the proposal.

Montana Geographic Names Advisor Recommendation - Support (Tuesday, February 5, 2008)
Domestic Names Committee Decision Date - Thursday, August 14, 2008
Domestic Names Committee Discussion - A motion was made and seconded to approve this change.

Vote: 10 in favor
0 against
0 abstentions

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