1994 - "It is hard to determine just when the word squaw came to have a connotation of contempt"...

or whether that contempt is rooted in the exploitation of Indian women by fur traders, in the sexist and male chauvinistic attitudes of white civilization, or in the appalling land thefts by the squawmen. Even if its origins are honorable, the word squaw perpetuates attitudes of contempt."  

1994, June 22   Star Tribune 

Here are various letters to editors - going back and forth - debating whether this word is an insult to Native American women. Notice that those who say it's not are using a dictionary definition to support his position, while the other uses Algonquian translations to literally defy this word as being uninsulting. A non-insult. This happens all the time with Native Americans and those outside the culture, who tell them that words such as Redskins aren't racist, and they're wrong for thinking so, even though the word has been used in a racist manner for hundreds of years.

The same is true for 'Squaw.' It's not what Webster's Dictionary says it is, or how someone translates it .. it's the people for whom the term represents - how does this word make them FEEL. If they FEEL insulted, because it's been used in an insulting way for generations, then it's a friggin' insult and white folks (and other non-Natives, including those with Red Roots - meaning some Native blood buried back in their family tree) have no right to tell them that it's NOT disparaging. We all need to shake our head yes, stop saying it, and give them respect.

Here's where another blow-hard chimed in and not only said:  "In this politically correct society, a lot of people are actively looking for reasons to be offended. Thus, the word "squaw" is seen by some as a slur." .. "Don't we have more important things to do?" ... "Political correctness run amok." "Fortunately, sanity frequently prevails, and sports teams refuse to change their names or to ban tomahawk chops.." [because these things are] "but to express admiration and honor."[Wow!], but he also uses racist cliches such as "circling the wagons," "heap big trouble," and this paragraph:

"The politically correct extremists, of course, often will not yield to sanity or reason; [he's talking about activists who want to get rid of Indian-themed mascots] they call their squaws and braves together to hold a powwow in a tepee -- then go on the warpath, their war party financed by wampum from like-minded folks." He then says this paragraph isn't meant to offend anything [insert eye roll here] - he's making a point about the Associated Press Stylebook, which lists these outdated cliches as disparaging and offensive, and should be avoided. - Source: 1996, Sep 11  The Tennessean

1996, Sep 11  The Tennessean 

1996, Dec 9  The San Bernardino County Sun 

1996 - "Contrary to [Ritter's] assertion [two articles up], people are not looking for reasons to be offended, but many are trying to remove reasons that have been used for centuries-old offenses and insults. The term "squaw" is seen as a slur, and nor just by "some," but by virtually all Native Americans and many non-Native Americans."

1996, Oct 17  The Tennessean