RESOLUTION No: 

A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING THE RENAMING OF “Squaw Valley” to “Nɨm Valley”

WHEREAS, "Squaw Valley" is a census-designated place located in Fresno County, California, United States of America (zip codes 93646 & 93675); and

WHEREAS, The stated “Vision” of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors is “working together for a quality of life for all”; and

WHEREAS, The guiding “Mission” of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors is “to provide excellent public services to our diverse community”; and

WHEREAS, One of the “Guiding Principles” of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors is “Respecting Diversity” - “Respecting and embracing ethnic and cultural diversity”; and

WHEREAS, “Squaw Valley” is represented by District 5 Fresno County Board Supervisor, Nathan Magsig; and

WHEREAS, Board Supervisor Nathan Magsig was quoted by the Fresno Bee, in a February 12, 2021 article, acknowledging the word “Squaw” is offensive to “some Native American groups”; and

WHEREAS, Board Supervisor Nathan Magsig is “committed to embracing public safety”; and

WHEREAS, The Missing and Murdered Indigneous Women & Girls (MMIWG) human-rights crisis disproportionately affects Indigenous peoples in the United States; and

WHEREAS, The word “Squaw” is widely received and regarded by both Native American and Non-Native American communities as sexually offensive and derogatory; and

WHEREAS, The word “Squaw” is an informal word associated to Native American women that has come to mean both a part of the female genitalia and a woman of ill repute; and

WHEREAS, The word “Squaw” epitomizes the intersectionality of racism and sexism Native American Women face; and

WHEREAS, "Squaw Valley" underscores the disparaging impact on the local Fresno County community of which the name represents; and

WHEREAS, The current name perpetuates a sexualized, exploitative, and humiliating narrative that continues to focus the desires and disgust of early European-Americans on the bodies of Native American women; and

WHEREAS, Continuing to allow the current use of the name to persist, permits a sexualized predatory vernacular to remain associated with Fresno County and the community of which the name represents; and

WHEREAS, Names are powerful, helping to form our identity; and

WHEREAS, Even if unintentional, the current name is harmful; and 

WHEREAS, To properly honor our neighboring Native American communities, particularly Native American women, we must eradicate existing degrading geographic names; and

WHEREAS, The United States Forest Service (Pacific Southwest Region) has issued a policy declaring the name to be derogatory and unfit for geographic naming; and

WHEREAS, The United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN) has previously recommended the removal of the same nomenclature assigned to other American geographic sites; and

WHEREAS, "Nɨm Valley" (PRONOUNCE “N-OO-M”) changes the narrative, identifies, and honors our homelands first inhabitants in the local Western Mono indigenous language; and

WHEREAS, “Nɨm” meaning “The People”, acknowledges its former and current residents, invites future residents, and amplifies the communities consanguineous bond - Humanity; and

WHEREAS, Unified School Districts within Fresno County lack sufficient cultural awareness, history, and insight into the Central Valleys indigenous tribal communities; and

WHEREAS, “Nɨm Valley” creates opportunities for cultural exchanges that strengthen our communities cultural awareness to the valleys first inhabitants; and

WHEREAS, The Fresno County Board of Supervisors has authority to rename “Squaw” Valley.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FRESNO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS supports enabling legislation that would authorize the renaming of “Squaw Valley” to “Nɨm Valley.” ADOPTED by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors this 13th day of April, 2021.