Fox Chapel will host private meeting with some residents to hear input on 'Squaw'

Residents of Squaw Run Road and Squaw Run Road East in Fox Chapel will get a final chance to provide input on their road names — and whether the word Squaw is removed — during a private meeting Nov. 9.

Council will host a closed meeting with residents to hear feedback prior to the board’s regular meeting Nov. 16, during which it is expected to vote on the issue.

There will also be a written survey sent to the same residents in an effort to gather as much information as possible, council members said.

The vote follows a movement by some residents who lobbied for the word to be removed, saying it is a slur against Native American women.

In July, council appointed a task force comprising volunteers to examine the impacts of the word Squaw and its use in borough street and trail names.

The task force was also charged with gathering information from the residents on Squaw Run and Squaw Run East. For reasons undisclosed, that part of the assignment wasn’t completed.

Council member Mandy Steele said the public should know why that wasn’t done.

“We need to be as transparent as possible,” she said.

Thomas Walker, task force chairman, penned a letter to council with an explanation of the group’s findings but council disagreed about whether that letter is public information yet. They voted to release it simultaneously with the agenda for the November meeting.

Steele implored council not to drag the issue on any longer.

“These are public roads,” she said. “Keeping a well-known slur will be harmful to the entire community. I’m a huge proponent of community input, but I think this decision has got to be made by the elected officials.”

Council president Andy Bennett said it is the borough’s obligation to hear from each of the residents who live on the two potentially impacted roads.

“We’ve heard from some but not from all, and we owe them a forum,” he said.

The private meeting will be attended by Bennett and fellow council members Jay Troutman and Betsy Monroe, along with Mayor Alex Scott.

The meeting is solely for residents to provide input. Council members will not be presenting information, only listening to the discussion.

Resident Allison Stein told council a live meeting is not the best path.

“Those who feel the most passionate about this issue will be the most vocal in a Zoom meeting,” she said. “The healing that needs to take place will not take place in that form.”

Kathleen Guinn, a member of the task force, suggested there be a way to protect the identity of people who speak during the upcoming meeting.

“I don’t think you’ll get honest opinions from folks if they feel others are watching,” Guinn said.

Written surveys sent to residents will give people a second option, council members said. The surveys will be due Nov. 6.

O’Hara council in August changed the name of Squaw Valley Park to O’Hara Township Community Park after members of the community petitioned for a new name.