squaw

The word "squaw" was used in the past for an Indigenous woman, especially in North America, but today it is widely seen as an offensive slur. In English, the term became tied to colonization, racist stereotypes, and the mistreatment of Native people. It also appears in some older place names, though many of those names have been changed or are being changed out of respect for Indigenous communities. In modern use, the word should be avoided.

The word "squaw" entered English through contact with Indigenous languages of the Algonquian family, where related forms could mean "woman." But the history of the English word is not neutral. During the colonial period, settlers used it as a general label for Indigenous women, often without care for the women's actual nations, names, or identities. Over time, in English, the term became tied to racism, humiliation, and degrading stereotypes. For many Native American and First Nations people, it carries a history of disrespect and harm.

The term carries painful weight because it was often used by outsiders in a dismissive or insulting way. Even uses that may look historical or official, such as older place names, can still remind people of that history. In recent years, a number of places in the United States and Canada have been renamed after consultation with Indigenous communities, reflecting a broader effort to remove language that many people experience as offensive.

Using "squaw" today is generally understood as offensive, even if the speaker does not mean harm. A respectful choice is to say "Indigenous woman," "Native woman," or, when it is known and relevant, to name the person's specific nation or community, such as Cherokee, Anishinaabe, or Haudenosaunee. In plain terms, this is a word learners should recognize, understand in historical context, and avoid using themselves.