The use and misuse of the term, Squaw...a linguistic exploration

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

the changing perception of the word "squaw"

by tom jonas

may 6, 2003

the basic meaning and etymology of the word

the english word "squaw" was borrowed from the algonquian language family of a few indian tribes in canada and new england and first appeared in the american vocabulary around 1634. it has been used in literature and historical documents for much of this country’s history. the massachusett/algonquian word means "young woman." the word is unknown in the languages of native americans of the western and midwestern united states.

"squaw" has been a familiar word in american literature and language since the 17th century and has always been normally understood to mean "an indian woman or wife." the term as commonly used contains no disrespect to indian women any more than the words "woman" or "wife" do to anglo-american women.

the controversy over the use of the word "squaw" appears to have started in 1973 with the book literature of the american indian, by thomas e. sanders and walter w. peek. sanders and peek are members of two different indian nations in florida. although they are not linguists, their book puts forth a rather racist and inflammatory accusation about the origin of the word ‘squaw’:

that curious concept of "squaw," the enslaved, demeaned, voiceless childbearer, existed and exists only in the mind of the non-native american and is probably a french corruption of the iroquois word otsiskwa meaning "female sexual parts," a word almost clinical both denotatively and connotatively. the corruption suggests nothing about the native american’s attitude toward women; it does indicate the wasichu’s view of native american women in particular if not all women in general.

there are several serious problems with this statement:

1. all english and native american linguists agree that there is absolutely no connection between the mohawk [iroquoian] word otsiskwa (also spelled ojiskwa) and the algonquin word squa. one scholar writes "i am reliably told that mohawk speakers do not equate the english word with their word and take no offense at the english word on that account."
   
2. it accuses non-native americans of having a low opinion of native american women. i do not believe the majority of whites ever held this attitude.
   
3. it accuses the "wasichu" of applying a vulgar term to native american women.
   
4. the statement has anti-anglo undertones, as demonstrated not only by the implication of the statement but also by calling the whites "wasichu."

at the end of the webarticle, it arrives at the conclusion of:

we should still be free to use words in a respectful way. there is, in fact, a desire among many native americans to preserve the usage of the word "squaw." marge bruchac (an abenaki indian) writes in her article reclaiming "squaw" in the name of the ancestors:

when our languages are perceived as dirty words, we and our grandchildren are in grave danger of losing our self-respect. we must educate, rather than tolerate the loss of our language due to ignorance.

ms. bruchac suggests that we treat the word ‘squaw’ in the same way that the institute for the advancement of aboriginal women has: "they have declared that it will no longer be tolerated as an insult, but will instead be recognized as a term of honor and respect."

the entire webarticle may be viewed here: http://www.tomjonas.com/squawpeak/changingperception.htm