Reno Reporter

A University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) Department of Geography professor joined the Advisory Committee on Reconciliation in Place Names.

Christine Johnson will assist in identifying the names of places that are offensive and obscured the history and culture of Native Americans, according to a news release from the university. Naming a location enables people to easily share information about the place and events that occurred there. Names that are misogynistic, racist, and hateful, in particular, will be addressed.

"It's our job to tell people, and also the peoples' job to share their opinions," Johnson said in the news release. "Words matter."

Johnson was appointed to the committee on International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples – Aug. 9 – the news release noted. The committee consists of 16 members who represent tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and those with expertise in numerous fields. Deb Haaland, secretary of the interior, created the group with Secretarial Order 3405. Nearly 650 geographical features with names that contained a slur against Indigenous women were changed in September; 34 places in Nevada were renamed.

Johnson will provide her historical, geographical, and anthropological knowledge to the committee, according to the news release. The public is encouraged to recommend new names for places that were identified as offensive.

"When Native names were replaced with English names, the impact on people and the loss of culture in the place is significant, and continues to impact the people still today," Johnson said.