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Date Posted: 20:06:00 02/05/04 Thu
Author: JTH
Subject: Re: Use of a word
In reply to: Tammi 's message, "Use of a word" on 17:28:05 02/04/04 Wed

Hau Tammi,
I will share with you what I know about this....

The word 'squaw' is a modern european corruption of a word from an Indigenous language (most likely Algonquin). The original word was a crude, very basic word which made an indirect reference to female genitalia. The only intent in the Indians using the word with non-Indians was to try and communicate with early european immigrants as to the whereabouts of the women in their village, as language was a difficult barrier to overcome in communication. As the history goes, the original word, though quite tame, was corrupted by many european male immigrants. History tells of countless Indigenous women being raped by european immigrants, and it is said that these foul men addressed them as 'squaw' before, during and after these vile acts. Not knowing the true, original meaning of the word, they made it into something foul and degrading. Thus the word was not only linguistically corrupted, but also took on a whole new and ugly meaning.
This is what I know of the early beginnings of this word. Its historically derogatory use is coupled with the concept that Indians, male or female, were less than human in some way, hence the terms 'buck' or 'brave' for men, and 'doe' or 'squaw' for women. All of these elements come together to make for a very negative, if not demeaning definition of the word 'squaw'. Our women are women! Not 'squaws'.
Hope this helps you in your understanding....

In friendship,
John Two-Hawks


>Could someone please help me with something. It is a
>delicate subject matter and I apologize for that. I am
>not asking to be rude or insensitve.
>
>Please tell me if the word squaw is a derogatory word
>and if it is also slang for a female part of the body.
>What exactly does this word mean.
>
>thank you!!!!

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