“Offensive” Destination Name Gets Changed in Grand Canyon

A destination located in Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park is changing its name as it is believed to be “offensive.”

The popular stop at Indian Garden on the park's Bright Angel Trail will now be called Havasupai Gardens.

The name change is an attempt to correct a historical wrong. Nearly 100 years ago, the National Park Service removed members of the Havasupai tribe from the inner-rim canyon area. They had lived there for generations.

The area that the Havasupai called Ha'a Gyoh was subsequently renamed Indian Garden.

"The Grand Canyon National Park team was proud to work alongside the Havasupai Tribal Council in our joint effort to rename this culturally significant location," Ed Keable, the park's superintendent, said in a statement.

"The Havasupai people have actively occupied this area since time immemorial, before the land's designation as a national park and until the park forcibly removed them in 1926. This renaming is long overdue. It is a measure of respect for the undue hardship imposed by the park on the Havasupai people."

It is lucky timing because November is National Native American Heritage Month.

"Every year, approximately 100,000 people visit the area while hiking the Bright Angel Trail, largely unaware of this history," said tribe chairman Thomas Siyuja, Sr. Calling the former name "offensive," he added the "renaming of this sacred place to Havasupai Gardens will finally right that wrong."

The Grand Canyon isn't the only place in North America that has made amends for its past. It also changed names that were hurtful to Indigenous communities.

The Olympic ski venue in California was once known as Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. In 2021, Palisades Tahoe was renamed to Palisades Tahoe.

Management of the area acknowledged the racist, sexist history of the term "squaw" in its past and included members of the Washoe tribe in the selection process.

Canada's Jasper National Park has a collection of accommodations that were previously known as Pocahontas Cabins. They have been renamed Miette Mountain Cabins in this area.

Parks Canada stated that it was working with the Jasper Indigenous Forum which represents more than 25 groups to change the name.
There are many reasons why a destination might choose a new name.

Suicide Six, a Vermont ski resort, was renamed Saskadena Six because "the feelings that the term suicide evokes can have an important impact on many people in our community."

Now it's time for the Grand Canyon to change.

Already, signs and other markers have been updated to reflect the new Havasupai Gardens brand. Spring 2023 is planned for a rededication ceremony.

"I am glad to see that we will always remember and honor the true history of my family's forced relocation due to the development of the Grand Canyon National Park," said Carletta Tilousi, a member of the Havasupai Tribe and former council member.

"I hope this historic action will help other tribes take similar steps and reclaim lands back by changing place names for historic and cultural preservation purposes."

 

Source: cnn.com