WORDS: Getting all facts correct

The Oct. 29 letter to the editor regarding Squaw Bay and the canyon west of Rosalia with the s-word names was not entirely true. As its writer, I must apologize for not stating the facts correctly. 

It's true that the Washington State Board on Geographic Names met twice in 2007 on the subject of changing Squaw Canyon in Whitman County to Jack Pine Canyon as the residents of the area wanted or to Awtskin Canyon as the Coeur d'Alene Tribe desired. The first meet resulted in postponing the change; at the second, the board ruled in favor of the Tribe's wishes. As for the creek, which has its source in Spokane County before flowing into Whitman, and the Squaw Creek Road in Whitman County, they still retain the earlier s-name. Squaw Bay was also changed in 2007 to Neachen Bay by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

If you Google search Awtskin Canyon, it won't be found on Google maps, but the old Squaw Canyon will, although the newly named Neachen Bay maps can be found after Googling. The wheels of change turn very slowly, even in this Internet age, which by the way, was 42 years old on Oct. 29.

Don't expect WSBOGN to make any other name changes. Budget cuts this past spring have made Washington the only state in the union to no longer have such a body.

DALE ROLOFF

Spokane