Oshawa changes name of ‘Squaw Valley Court’ in response to community concerns

Oshawa, Ont. — City council is changing the name of Squaw Valley Court to Revelstoke Court after people living in the area brought up concerns that the old name could be offensive to the Indigenous community. 

The street was named back in 1994, following a neighbourhood theme in which streets were named after North American ski resorts.

Yet nearly a quarter of a century later, the contemporary use of the word “squaw,” especially by non-Natives, is considered offensive, derogatory, misogynist and racist.  Many other places around the world have been eliminating the word from their maps and street signs.

Each of the eight homeowners on what will now be Revelstoke Court will be compensated $250, and the cost to install a new street sign is $25.

The city says the signs will be changed in the fall.