1973: "We prefer Dakota Women, not Squaws" says author, Virginia Sneve
In 1973, Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve (Lakota Sioux), who was born and raised on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, said the following: " Non-Indians have used the word, "squaw," throughout history to reflect a low opinion of Indian women. The word is insulting by itself and coupled with other words, such as "man" or "humper," a very disparaging description erupts." ... "Squaw is offensive and unacceptable to the Dakota people." - Source: 1973, Aug 5 Argus Leader
By this time, Sneve received her B.S. and M.Ed. in 1954 and 1969, respectively, from South Dakota State University and was highly respected.
Virginia Sneve was a school teacher, an editor, and sits on many many board of directors. A list of her awards and honors are as follows:
National Humanities Medalist, 2000
Human Rights Award, South Dakota State Counselors Association, 1996
Author-Illustrator Human and Civil Rights Award, 1996
Spirit of Crazy Horse Award, 1996
South Dakota Education Association Human Services Award, 1994
Native American Prose Award, University of Nebraska Press, 1992
In other words, she knows what she's talking about.
Again, did the public listen? Did schools rid of their Squaw team names? Were place-names changed? Were Indian movie characters still referred to as squaws?
85 years after "A Cherokee Lady" told Senator Dawes that indigenous women do not like being called squaws - it continued - until the early 2000's when enough was enough. School teams started to drop their 'Squaw' monikers, place-names were changed, street signs changed, and it was removed from common, every day language.
It took over a hundred years for America to listen.
By this time, Sneve received her B.S. and M.Ed. in 1954 and 1969, respectively, from South Dakota State University and was highly respected.
Virginia Sneve was a school teacher, an editor, and sits on many many board of directors. A list of her awards and honors are as follows:
National Humanities Medalist, 2000
Human Rights Award, South Dakota State Counselors Association, 1996
Author-Illustrator Human and Civil Rights Award, 1996
Spirit of Crazy Horse Award, 1996
South Dakota Education Association Human Services Award, 1994
Native American Prose Award, University of Nebraska Press, 1992
In other words, she knows what she's talking about.
Again, did the public listen? Did schools rid of their Squaw team names? Were place-names changed? Were Indian movie characters still referred to as squaws?
85 years after "A Cherokee Lady" told Senator Dawes that indigenous women do not like being called squaws - it continued - until the early 2000's when enough was enough. School teams started to drop their 'Squaw' monikers, place-names were changed, street signs changed, and it was removed from common, every day language.
It took over a hundred years for America to listen.
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| 1973, Aug 5 Argus Leader |
