The Dane County Board voted unanimously on a resolution to rename Squaw Bay in Lake Monona to Wicawak, the Ho-Chunk name for muskrat.
The change is in support of the Ho-Chunk Tribe, which says its term for “woman” has been misappropriated as a derogatory term referring to Native Americans. Ho-Chunk elders suggested the new name.
A name change application must now be filed with the Wisconsin Geographic Names Council, a part of the DNR. Madison and Monona are also considering similar resolutions, according to a Wisconsin State Journalstory.
