34 Nevada landmarks get new names in country-wide effort to remove racist term for Native women

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Thirty-four landmarks in Nevada got new names as part of a widespread effort to remove a racist term for a Native American woman from places across the United States.

The renamed peaks, lakes, streams and other geographical features previously bore the offensive term "squaw."

BACKGROUND: US changes nearly 650 names of places with racist term for Native women

The term originated in the Algonquin language and may have once simply meant "woman," the Associated Press reported. But over time, the word morphed into a misogynist and racist term to disparage Indigenous women, experts say.

Changes to nearly 650 names were announced on Thursday, ending a yearlong effort by the Department of the Interior under the leadership of Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native American to hold that office.

Nevada landmarks that got new names as a result of the effort include:

1. East Pequop Creek (previously East Squaw Creek) in Elko County
2. Sonoma Valley (previously Little Squaw Valley) in Humboldt County
3. Koe Pato (previously Squaw Butte) in Pershing County
4. Smoke Creek Valley Opening (previously Squaw Valley) in Washoe County
5. Rose Creek (previously Squaw Creek) in Mineral County
6. Izhape' Naokwaide (previously Squaw Creek) in Elko County
7. Cooks Butte (previously Squaw Butte) in Lander County
8. Too Kapu Tawaka (previously Squaw Creek Valley) in Washoe County
9. Daisy Peak (previously Squaw Tit) in Lander County
10. Mohave Peaks (previously Squaw Peaks) in Clark County
11. Tosa Wihi Hunu'u (previously Squaw Valley) in Elko County
12. Rock Springs Mountain (previously Squaw Mountain) in Elko County
13. West Pequop Creek (previously West Squaw Creek) in Elko County
14. Depa No'obi (previously Squaw Hills) in Nye County
15. Davu'tsi Naokwaide (previously Squaw Creek) in Elko County
16. Murry Peak (previously Squaw Peak) in White Pine County
17. Deep Hole Spring Creek (previously Squaw Creek) in Washoe County
18. Sonoma Creek (previously Squaw Valley Creek) in Humboldt County)
19. Craw Knoll (previously Squaw Knoll) in Lincoln County
20. Clear Valley (previously Big Squaw Valley) in Humboldt County
21. Mud Spring Creek (previously Squaw Creek) in Mineral County
22. Rocky Creek (previously North Fork Squaw Creek) in Elko County
23. South Fork East Pequop Creek (previously South Fork East Squaw Creek) in Elko County
24. North Fork East Pequop Creek (previously North Fork East Squaw Creek) in Elko County
25. Kwe'na'a (previously Squaw Peak) in Mineral County
26. Koepato To (previously Squaw Peak) in Humboldt County
27. Stone Mother (previously Squaw With a Basket) in Washoe County
28. Baa Do'l (previously Squaw Wells Spring) in Nye County
29. Doya Goi (previously Squawtip) in Nye County
30. Dembi Gaddi (previously Squaw Flat) in Nye County
31. Wassuk Creek (previously Little Squaw Creek) in Mineral County
32. Murry Point (previously Squaw Point) in White Pine County
33. Granite Mountain Reservoir (previously Squaw Valley Reservoir) in Washoe County
34. Groundhog Butte (previously Squaw Tit Butte) in Humboldt County

See the full list of hundreds of locations across the country on the United States Geological Survey website here.