Secretary Haaland’s messaging on ‘squaw’ aims to purposely heighten attention

Interior secretary follows lead of advocates’ successful banishment of the word ‘redskins.’

Getty Images caption and photo: “Cottonwood trees displaying brilliant autumn foliage in Squaw Canyon at dusk, Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA.”

WASHINGTON – In an act of strategic messaging, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is refusing to spell out the word “squaw” in her new directives to have the derogatory named removed from federal lands.