Montana Geographic Names Advisor
Geographic Name Change Request
Change Squaw Flat to Pikuni Flat
Glacier County, Montana
Status =
Approved
| Description |
flat,
11 km (7 mi) long,
on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, between North Fork Milk River and Hagerty Creek, 21 km (14 mi) ENE of Babb; “Pikuni” is another word used to describe the Blackfeet people of the Blackfeet Confederacy |
| Location |
48°54’46”N, 113°08’13”W |
| PLSS Location |
Tps 37&36N, Rgs 11&12W |
| Proposal |
to change a name considered by some to be offensive |
| Proponent |
Blackfeet Tribal Business Council |
| Not |
Squaw Flat |
| Administrative area |
Blackfeet Indian Reservation |
| Previous BGN Action |
None |
| See also |
|
| GNIS ID |
777131
|
| Local Usage |
None found
|
| Published |
Flat (USGS 1968, 1979)
|
This proposal is to change officially the name of Squaw Flat, an 11 km (7 mi) long flat located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Glacier County, to Pikuni Flat. It was submitted by the Montana House Bill 412 “Squaw Name Change” Committee on behalf of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, which believes the existing name is derogatory and should be changed. The proposed name is reportedly used to refer to the Blackfeet people of the Blackfeet Confederacy. The Glacier County Commissioners submitted a letter in support of the proposed change to Pikuni Flat, and the Montana State Names Authority recommends approval as well.
The stream that flows along the southeastern side of the flat was renamed by the BGN in 2003 from Squaw Creek to Hagerty Creek. A second proposal by the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, to change the name of Squaw Buttes, also on the Blackfeet Reservation, to Duckhead Buttes, is listed under Category III below.
|
| Montana Geographic Names Advisor Recommendation -
Support
(Tuesday, October 14, 2008)
|
| Domestic Names Committee Decision Date -
Thursday, December 11, 2008 |
Domestic Names Committee Discussion -
A motion was made and seconded to approve this name change.
Vote: 12 in favor
0 against
0 abstentions
|
