Petition updateChange the name of Squaw Island Park in Buffalo, NYLet's Talk Native with John Kane
Jodi Lynn MaracleBuffalo, NY, United States
Dec 7, 2014 — She:kon Sewakwekon! Hopefully everyone is doing well and staying warm. First and foremost, I hope that you will all join me on Let's Talk Native radio show with John Kane this evening at 9:00pm. Listen in or even call in! The show can be heard live streaming here ( http://media.espn1520.com/lets-talk-native.htm ) or visit the show's page on Facebook for more info ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalknative/ ). There has been a lot of coverage regarding the name change so please feel free to peruse some of the articles, editorials and videos here (positive and negative included here): http://buffalo.twcnews.com/content/789771/common-council-seeks-to-remove-racist-term-from-buffalo-park/ http://www.wkbw.com/news/native-americans-ask-city-of-buffalo-to-rename-island http://buffalorising.com/2014/11/squaw-island-time-to-change-the-name/ http://wivb.com/2014/12/02/committee-considers-renaming-squaw-island/ http://buffalorising.com/2014/11/squaw-island-time-to-change-the-name/ http://buffalo.com/2014/12/03/featured/closer-look-alexander-o-levys-squaw-island-winter-eve/ http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/11/19/sign-petition-change-name-squaw-island-park-buffalo-157902 http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/buffalo/common-council-is-asked-to-change-name-of-squaw-island-20141125 http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/letter-renaming-squaw-island-might-open-the-floodgates-20141207 Also, I don't really understand reddit (embarrassing) but here's a reddit thread about all of this: http://www.reddit.com/r/Buffalo/comments/2n75uy/squaw_island_controversy_should_it_be_renamed/ Last Tuesday, I was slated to speak to the Community Development Committee however they concluded their meeting prior to my arrival. I was informed that the "matter" has been sent over to the City of Buffalo's legal department since their are some "jurisdictional issues". Councilmember Golombek cited the fact that the island rests near an international boundary, however, it is more likely the case that the City of Buffalo has no rights to the island. According to a publication from the Buffalo Historical Society in 1879, the island was gifted to Captain Parish, "their favorite agent and interpreter, as an acknowledgement, says the record, of his many services in their behalf". After that, it appears that Captain Parish then sold it to Henry F. Penfield Esq in 1823. Furthermore, as per Councilmember Fronczak's research, as of 1932, the City of Buffalo was looking into purchasing the island. As it stands, it will be a while before the island can be renamed. The city of Buffalo cannot rename what it never held jurisdiction over in the first place. Please keep spreading the word since in previous attempts by other individuals to rename the island, the matter is often ignored until it dies down most likely due to these messy jurisdictional issues. Nia:wen Sewakwekon! Jodi Lynn Maracle
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