Item 29 - Correction Memo and Updated Attachments B and C.pdf
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S**** Peak Drive Submitted Comments - E-mail, Phone, Written, Web Comment Form (Comments from residents of street or adjacent streets shaded in yellow at top and shaded in yellow) Type of Contact Postion on renaming Live on street? (noted if provided by resident) Comments Preferred alternative(s) E-mail received Thursday, July 16. Staff e-mail response on July 16. In favor Yes Supports Peak Drive as new name. Expressed concern over updating addresses and potential cost Peak Drive Web comment form. Submitted July 19 Phone call to request meeting registration information Yes Called to request web meeting registration details. Staff sent those on July 23 Web comment submitted July 30 Opposed Yes Greetings, I would like to share two points regarding the proposed renaming of streets: 1.) Based on discussion with City Council representatives, I have confirmed this is a response to racial justice demonstrations in Phoenix. Changing a street name does nothing to address this problem. I urge you to not confuse doing something for doing the right thing. As leaders of the community it is incumbent upon you to identify causes of racism and address them. This isn't easy an easy problem to solve so don't be enticed to take easy actions. 2.) The process for renaming is unfair to the residents. The vote taken at the July 1 City Council meeting was done without reaching out to us residents. The scheduled meetings for public comment are open to all which can drown out the residents' opinions. Yet, you have called a special meeting giving the supposed offended group a special opportunity to be heard. Web comment submitteOpposed Yes I live on Squaw Peak Dr. 2 items: 1. I am NOT in support of changing the name. We have asked the City Council directly for their plan to improve racial inequality in our city, and the response was we are renaming a street. They admitted this is not part of any comprehensive solution. Their time, effort and resources should be spent on solving the real issue. This is a symbolic gesture that solves nothing. I want the City Council to know The City of Phoenix deserves better, and I am holding them accountable for real solutions. 2. Should the renaming move forward, Given these tense times, A generic name that is NOT linked to any ethnicity, Or particular Tribe, would be the prudent choice. Peak Drive, Sunset Drive or Iron Mountain Drive would All preserve at least a shred of our valuable history. Under NO circumstances am I in favor of anything with the name Piestewa in it. Thank you for your consideration. Peak Drive Sunset Drive Iron Mountain Drive Web and e-mail comment. Yes If the mayor and city council vote to force the renaming of Squaw Peak Drive, I would propose the following names for the reasons noted below (in addition to the fact they do not appear on the list of current PHOENIX street names found online and are easy to pronounce, write, and spell): Sunset Place – When heading down the street from the mountain in the evening, there are beautiful views of Arizona sunsets, and many people head up to the mountain to view the gorgeous sunsets. Desert Sage Dr. – The Desert Sage bush is well known in the Valley, especially for its beautiful purple flowers. Desert Sunset Dr. – Another very descriptive name for the beautiful drive down the street being considered for renaming. Mountain Pass – Certainly descriptive of the drive into the park. End of Resident Comments E-mail received Monday, July 13. Spoke at July 30 community web forum Not specified Questioned whether the word actually is offensive. She requested a desert-themed name if the name is toIronwood Sunset Staff e-mail process information on July 15 Sent links to web resources and meeting details Phone call and e-mail on July 15 In favor No Supports renaming Squaw Peak Drive I am not in favor of renaming Squaw Peak Drive. Though I respect the Native American community, even the Native American community is not in agreement regarding whether or not “squaw” is a derogatory term (see 3/23/2017 article in Indian Country Today). The mayor and council are pandering Opposed Yes Attachment B S**** Peak Drive Submitted Comments - E-mail, Phone, Written, Web Comment Form (Comments from residents of street or adjacent streets shaded in yellow at top and shaded in yellow) E-mail received Thursday, July 16. Staff e-mail response on July 16. Not specified Request for meeting registration details. No comments given Web comment form. Submitted July 17 Opposed No Where is the proof that the word “Squaw” was ever a derogatory term until a particular newspaper publisher decided to gain attention/sales and then started a campaign which led to all other team mascots being “derogatory!” I will not buy into erasing my Native American heritage! Before you know it, “Native American, American Indian,” Aqua Caliente, Tucson, Santa Fe,” etc. will be deemed derogatory!!! As for Robert E. Lee’s name, I refuse to be a part of erasing our history. I refuse the kool-aid!!! Web comment form. Submitted July 18 No I don't live on either street names, just a City resident for 48 years. Is this really the best use for City taxes? City budgets are severely strained now, especially with Covid-19. I am sensitive to the names but should this be phased in over time after the virus is controlled? Don't need a return response just you consideration for the City budget. Web comment form. Submitted July 19 In favor No (.4 miles away) As a homeowner near the base of Piestewa Peak for 30 years, a frequent hiker of the mountain, and Coordinator of the annual March 23 Piestewa Fallen Heroes Sunrise Service in the park, I urge City Council to change the name of “Squaw Peak Drive” to “Piestewa Peak Drive.” The name “Piestewa Peak Drive” would give the street a very meaningful name which would honor Lori Piestewa, the first Native American woman to die for our Country in overseas combat. It would also honor all our military heroes and recognize that this Country and the freedoms we enjoy today are made possible only through their courageous sacrifices. This is the focus of our annual sunrise service at Piestewa Peak. A very important part of Lori’s dedication sign at the summit trailhead states that “By recognizing one hero, we honor all military heroes and raise public awareness that regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, we all come together to defend our homeland.” This public street has always been named after the mountain as it is the only road that leads directly to Piestewa Peak. It has been directly tied in to the prominence of the mountain and has served as a landmark that helps show visitors where to turn and how to get to Piestewa Peak. Renaming the street “Piestewa Peak Drive” would be the proper thing to do. The name of the road was not changed when the mountain’s name was changed because there was a different process for renaming streets. As a result, Squaw Peak Drive has continued to carry a name deemed derogatory and offensive towards Native Americans. It is a glaring inconsistency with the city’s proud Point of Pride designation of Piestewa Peak in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve and with the city’s position as a great all-inclusive city. Piestewa Peak Drive Web comment form. Submitted July 19 In favor No As a member of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) District 1 (Maricopa County, Arizona) I strongly support renaming the Squaw Peak Drive to LORI PIESTEWA DRIVE. AS A SOLDIER AND FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN to die in combat, it is appropriate to name the Drive in her name. So again rename the drive to LORI PIESTEWA DRIVE. Piestewa Drive Web comment form In favor No My family has resided in Phoenix for more than 50 years, the past 20 years in a home near the base of Piestewa Peak Mountain. As one of the original members of the Arizona Piestewa Committee, I herewith join the many others who recommend changing the name of "Sqyaw Peak Drive" to "PIESTEWA PEAK DRIVE", as reflected in the three main reasons documented and submitted to the Phoenix City Council by the "Arizona For Piestewa Committee". To be clear, it was not just co-incidental that "INDIAN SCHOOL ROAD" was given its name because it was the only road leading directly to the historic Indian School campus. Likewise, it was not co-incidental that phoenix's "CENTRAL AVENUE" was given its name because it was the only central street which divides the east side of Phoenix from the west side of Phoenix. Hence, the public street leading to the Piestewa Peak Mountain should be named after the mountain, as it is the only road/street that leads directly to Piestewa Peak Mountain. It's always good to give name to a street that has meaning. So many have died for the freedom we have today. Respectfully submitted, Jesse J. Ary; Realtor, HOMESMART, INC. Former Member; Phoenix Community Development Block Grant Commission Former Member; Arizona State Board of Education Former Member; Governor's African American Advisory Council Former Member; Phoenix Human Relations Commission Former Executive Director; Phoenix Downtown Y.M.C.A. Former Arizona Department of Education Liaison; to the Arizona State Senate 2020 City of Phoenix, Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr./Honorable Calvin C. Goode, Sr. Lifetime Achievement Awardee Piestewa Peak Drive Date/Type of Contact Postion on renaming Live on or on adjacent street? Comments Web comment form. Submitted July 20 In favor No Please consider renaming Squaw Peak Drive to PIESTEWA PEAK DRIVE. Piestewa Peak Drive S**** Peak Drive Submitted Comments - E-mail, Phone, Written, Web Comment Form (Comments from residents of street or adjacent streets shaded in yellow at top and shaded in yellow) Comments at July 17 ITAA meeting In favor No Proposes Iron Mountain, traditional name for the peak from the O'odham people and use the O'odham name “Vainom Do’ag.” Martin Harvier, President, Salt River Pima Maricopa Community Iron Mountain Drive Vainom Do’ag (O'odham for Iron Mountain) Comments at July 17 ITAA meeting In favor No Overdue action to remove hurtful, racist name. Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis, Governor, Gila River Indian Community Piestewa Peak Drive E-mail comment July 22 In favor No As "Old Country Doctor Grandpa" my commendation response to your proposed derogatory Street Name Change near "Piestewa Peak" is as follows: As you plan for the new name for the road leading to the already re-named Piestewa Peak Tourist attraction, replacing the derogatory "Squaw Peak" name, Commendations go to the Piestewa Family, the continuing Piestewa Memorial Committee, the past Legislative action of the Arizona Legislature and the very supportive Governor Janet Napolitano. All are to be highly commended for their past name change role achievements. You, of the Phoenix City Council are also to be highly commended for your current follow-up Leadership, which will hopefully lead to the logically proposed nearby street name revision to become: "Piestewa Peak Drive." This proposed new name makes a very helpful non- derogatory guidance connection linkage name from the Street leading to the Peak for those seeking to reach their Piestewa Peak visitation destination. Why do I feel so strongly as "Old Country Doctor Grandpa" on this name change issue? In all my long Family Physician action life of 62 years working with many Native American Tribal Nations, since 1958, it is very impressive that: I have Never heard a Native American personally refer to another Native American Woman as a "SQUAW." !!! Piestewa Peak Drive Web comment form submitted on July 22 In favor Supports Piestewa Peak Drive No The most appropriate and logical name for the street is Piestewa Peak Drive. This is the only road leading to Piestewa Peak, and serves as a landmark to show visitors where to turn. Squaw Peak Drive is derogatory and offensive to Native Americans. Please consider the name change. Piestewa Peak Drive E-mailed comments July 24 In favor No I’ve lived in Phoenix since 1974. I’ve hiked Piestewa Peak for years until it got so crowded. The street leading to Peak has reflected the name of the peak. Yet Squaw is not a friendly name to our Native American Indians. I grew up in Oklahoma with 51 American Tribes. We were taught the culture history of the Native American Indians. I feel that when Squaw was changed to honor Lori Piestwesa in 2003/4 the street leading to the peak ought have been changed as well. So for years it’s been a conflict. It’s time to respect our Native American Indian culture and match the the street name with the peak name Piestwesa Peak Dr Piestwesa Dr. And while on the subject Robert E Lee was president of the confederacy and since we are a unified nation. This name needs to change also. Unity Street Unified Street. My Dads family came to US in 1652 in Maryland most fought Missouri both sides I’m sure. The Upchurch came in 1635 to Jamestown then North Carolina I’m sure confederate side but once the Civil war came to an end. Both families have served in military over the years. So what do you name a street with such history of a man. Patriot Street, Drive Lane Place think of the Revolutionary time in our country. Yes many of our leaders had slaves. It’s our history neither right wrong just a strong believe Federal was not good g to rule the states. Decisions kind like today. How about naming the street after Michael Williams killed March 23 2003 Same day as Lori Piestwesa. Or another hero police officer fireman Good Luck it’s time to look at what we name sites streets to reflect respect for all cultures and races. Michael Williams or Police or Firefighter Comments submitted via web form July 24 In favor No Squaw Peak Drive is very derogatory to American Indians. Does no one remember how Squaw Peak Mountain and Squaw Peak freeway had to be renamed because the word Squaw is offensive???? Comments submitted via web form July 24 In favor No I think renaming Squaw Peak Rd to Piestewa Peak is in the best interest of our city. It is also a safe and easy way to find Piestewa Peak. I Am proud of our city for recognizing appropriate times to make important changes. Piestewa Peak Drive E-mail comments subm In favor E-mail comments submitted July 25 In favor I ask that you to strongly consider changing the street name Squaw Peak Drive to Piestewa. I think it would be the right thing to do, and a great show of respect for our Native American and military families. Piestewa Peak Drive Voicemail comments submitted July 25 In favor No Left a voicemail requesting the name of the street be changed to Piestewa Drive. Piestewa Peak Drive Voicemail comments submitted July 25 Resident left a voicemail with e-mail address requesting meeting registration information. Staff e-mail meeting registration links on July 27. E-mail comments submitted July 27 In favor No Comment added to record Piestewa Peak Drive comment submitted Ju In favor No Piestewa Peak Drive has my vote. Piestewa Peak Drive Web comment submitteIn favor No Supports renaming the street to honor our veterans. Piestewa Peak Drive Web comment submitteIn favor No Supports renaming the street to Piestewa Peak Drive. Piestewa Peak Drive S**** Peak Drive Submitted Comments - E-mail, Phone, Written, Web Comment Form (Comments from residents of street or adjacent streets shaded in yellow at top and shaded in yellow) Web comment submitteOpposed No In 2017 when the Mayor and City Council brought up the issue of changing the name of Squaw Peak Dr, the process was that if the majority of the residents opposed the name change it would not be done. Well, to the dismay of the Mayor and City Council that happened. So the process was intentionally changed by the Mayor and city council to side-step the residents and cut them out of the process. I was under the impression, and it seems mistakenly, that government officials serve the people not dictate. Recently a sign facing the Lincoln Dr traffic was placed close to the intersection of Lincoln Dr and Squaw Peak Dr with info about the name change and dates for this hearing. This was not done in 2017. It seems the Mayor and City Council is doing it’s best to rub the name change process in the faces of the residents in trying to drum up support for their cause. I have lived on Squaw Peak Dr for 10 years and in that 10 years I have never had anyone complain to me about the name of our street. In instances where I have needed to give my address to someone, why is it that they almost always asked me to spell it? Maybe it’s because it has no significant meaning to them and or they have never even heard the name before. As home owners and tax payers it is quite upsetting that those who have no financial investment in a home or pay taxes to live on our street have more say than this street’s residents do. Instead of doing something really meaningful that could possibly be life changing and have a permanent impact on a specific community as in this case the Native Americans, what do you do? You changed a street name! Wow! That’s one for the history books! This action really helped a lot of people in need right???? I am sorry but it feels more like pandering to me. Throw them a bone and hope they go away until it’s election time again. E-mail comments subm In favor I strongly disapprove of the derogatory name of "squaw". I strongly agree that Phoenix rename the Drive to Piestewa Drive. Piestewa Drive E-mail comments subm In favor I am happy to hear that Phoenix is seriously considering changing the name of this street to match the official name of Piestewa Peak. I am very aware of the controversy involved. I taught at Tuba City high school for over two decades, and am good friends with the Piestewa family; in fact, even had Lori in a class briefly. I was at her memorial service in Tuba City and talked directly with Lori's oldest brother Wayland about the meeting they earlier had that day with the Governor when she announced the planned name change. Of course, it's the Hopi way to be courteous and deferential to any guest (esp. the Az. governor)..Wayland had told me they appreciated the honor to his sister but had also commented that they desired the honor to be for ALL veterans...... Later, he told me that they were upset because so many had politicized the name change, and they just wanted unity. ... This is also the idea behind the yearly honoring they have around March 22 at Piestewa Peak; while it revolves around Lori, they also honor many other veterans at the ceremony. The Piestewa name is much more honorable and deserves to preserve the contributions of Arizona veterans for years to come (Lori was half Hopi and half Mexican). The squaw peak name will always be controversial. Native Americans you conslt will be almost as split on this as "redskins".....but from the white perspective, the word "squaw" itself implies "possession" of a woman. And in at least one of the Iroquois languages it refers to a "vagina." Given today's climate, it makes a great deal of sense to be objective and rename the street Piestewa Peak drive ..... and not dwell on decades old stereotypical slang that disrespects Arizona's indigenous people. I hike Piestewa Peak and area daily--it's not far away and gives me a chance to honor the Piestewa family I would welcome the opportunity to travel up the street with that most honorable name. Piestewa Peak Drive Web comment submitteIn favor No Please practice respect for the American (Native) people. Thank you. Peak Drive Sunset Drive Iron Mountain Drive Web comment submitted Aug. 1 No I think SRP-MIC & GRIC NEED to be at the center of this renaming of a mountain in THEIR homeland. Web comment submitted Aug. 4 Opposed The last time the Mayor and the City Council tried changing the name of Squaw Peak Drive, a local news anchor, John Hook from Channel 10, solicited comments from the public on his Facebook page. He got over 200 responses, and an OVERWHELMING NUMBER DID NOT SUPPORT CHANGING THE NAME OF SQUAW PEAK DRIVE. Only 2 out of more than 200 responses agreed with the name being changed. The general public does not agree with bothering with this name change and thinks the Council’s time and energy should be better spent on more important issues. S**** Peak Drive Submitted Comments - E-mail, Phone, Written, Web Comment Form (Comments from residents of street or adjacent streets shaded in yellow at top and shaded in yellow) Web comment submitted Aug. 4 Opposed No I am deeply disappointed that we have come to this point in our lives where we must accommodate the few, the loud and the rude because they are offended by a commonly used named throughout history. It wasn’t without controversy that Squaw Peak was renamed to Piestewa Peak in 2003. Fast forward to 2020 and here we are “sanitizing our history to make a group of people feel better”. So, let’s make this change to Squaw Peak Drive a powerful one that honors the life of a native son. Charles H. Keating, IV, the first Navy SEAL from Phoenix and the state, to be killed. Charlie, as he is often referred to, was killed in Iraq on May 3, 2016 serving during Operation Inherent Resolve, at the age of 31. As part of a quick- response force mission to aid American troops under attack, he became the third American service member to die fighting the Islamic State group. Charlie was born and raised in Phoenix, graduated from Arcadia High School and could frequently be found hiking or running the trails of Piestewa Peak. There is so much more to tell, and for that reason, there are several of us that would be happy to make a presentation to the City Council regarding this amazing young man and why it is the right thing to do in naming Squaw Peak Drive in honor of him. For additional information, please see the following: https://c4foundation.org/; https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2016/05/03/navy-seal-killed-by-isis-fire-in-iraq- identified/; https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Charles+Keating+IV+Death+Video&ru=%2fvideos%2fsearch%3f q%3dCharles%2bKeating%2bIV%2bDeath%2bVideo%26FORM%3dVDMHRS&view=detail&mid=6BC44B8 106EFCCABEED06BC44B8106EFCCABEED0&rvsmid=66B7D176420D2DFA2B7F66B7D176420D2DFA2B7F &FORM=VDQVAP Charles H. Keating, IV Web comment submitted Aug. 4 No You should also rename Indian School Road. The “Indian schools’” primary purpose was to assimilate native Americans children into white culture, erasing their identities. E-mail comment submitted Aug. 5 In favor I am for renaming the Squaw Peak Dr. Web comment submitted Aug. 5 So, just to clarify…We are expected to change the name of Squaw Peak Drive while the Native Americans still perform the SQUAW DANCE (their name, not ours) as part of their religious ceremonies and they still make SQUAW BREAD?! What’s wrong with this picture? The Mayor, City Council, and Squaw Peak Drive residents are being held hostage by a small, but vocal group who don’t necessarily speak for the entire First Nation. If the tribes really felt it was so demeaning of their women, they would not continue to use the name in their own ceremonies and other aspects of their culture, especially since many of the tribes in Arizona are matriarchal/matrilineal societies; e.g., Navajo, Hopi, or matrilineal; e.g., Pima. If this issue had any real merit, the Native Americans should first deal with it in their own ceremonies and culture before expecting others to do the same. Web comment submitted Aug. 5 In favor No One can be named after the Peak. The other, how about Lincoln Ragsdale - after my old neighbor who was a Tuskegee Airman! Piestewa Peak Drive Web comment submitted Aug. 5 Oppposed No To Whom it May Concern: I am not for renaming the streets, parks, or anything else in Phoenix. My belief is that there are more important things to be worried about other than worrying about names of the things in Phoenix. I do not believe that it is offensive and I feel it was offensive to rename Squaw Peak...and to this day we that are natives will always call it Squaw Peak. Here is a link that I found that explains how things got their name and what it means. https://press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/534650.html The world has become offended by almost everything, so why not take time and sit back and let things take it's course. Everyone that I talk to is not offended and think that there's more important issues at hand than renaming things so as not offend. E-mail submitted Aug. 6. Identical comment also submitted via Web. Opposed No To: Mayor Gallego, Councilman Sal DiCiccio, Mario Paniagua Last night in the August 5th Squaw Peak Drive street renaming meeting, Mario Paniagua responded in reference to a question as to why Squawbush Place was not also targeted for a name change since it has the supposed derogatory name “squaw” in it. We were told that because the name comes from the Squawbush, a shrub plant, the word “squaw” is not considered derogatory. But the word “squaw” in Squaw Peak Dr. is derogatory? How interesting! So, the word “bush” nullifies the derogatory meaning of “squaw” but the word “peak” does not. Do you know how stupid and lame that sounds?? Especially since the Collins Dictionary online indicates that the word’s origin is so called from its use of the plant by Native Americans. If the Native Americans are not interested in the renaming of Squawbush Place also, how is there any validity in their claim in wanting to change the name of Squaw Peak Dr.? Let’s explore the meaning of what a double standard is: Definition - A double standard is the application of different sets of principles for situations that are, in principle, the same. It is often used to describe treatment whereby one group is given more latitude than another. We were fed a proverbial line of BULL! One name is derogatory but the other is not?? You can’t have it both ways. It’s either both names are derogatory or both names are not. So honestly, it’s all about getting Piestewa’s name on the street. From what I have heard in these meetings the consensus is in, and the residents will have no real say in the name. The Native Americans want Piestewa Peak Dr and that’s what you have intended to give them all along. You are even giving them their own separate meeting on August 11th, although the City’s street renaming policy only mentions the need for two meetings for residents. Why the special treatment? Do German Americans get a separate meeting? Do Italian Americans get a separate meeting? Do geologists who are concerned that it is called a “peak” and not a “mountain” get a separate meeting? The Mayor and Council’s intent is pretty clear. The meetings are just smoke and mirrors. You all are just running cover. It’s pretty clear that the decision is a done deal. You say the decision won’t be until September. But all the explanations on how you will assist residents is a dead giveaway as to how this all will go. One Native American man last night thought that the word “squaw” had been taken out of most of the tribal ceremonies. etc. Tribal leaders better start checking their web sites and other written articles online. Because Squaw Dance, Squaw Bread and Squaw Dance music can easily be found on Native American run sites. There are explanations of the ceremonies, articles and Squaw Dance music that can be ordered. One lady read a definition of “squaw” that said it was a derogatory word towards Native American women. I found the Webster Dictionary’s definition to say American Indian woman or wife. So yes, you can find varying opinions and definitions. As one article said, the jury is still out on this issue. What is totally frustrating is the fact that residents have paid a premium for their property to live in the area adjacent to the preserve. And pay taxes to that affect. And put up with the huge volume of traffic on our street, most of which is speeding to and from the park. And we are told that outsiders that do not live or have a financial investment on this street and neighborhood can come in and dictate their wishes on us and we have no say. [Well, you pretend to give us a say, but it appears it will be for nothing.] Honestly, would they like an outsider coming in and doing the same to them on their street and neighborhood? I think not! Is our little street expected to pay the “price” for the early settlers encroaching on Native American’s land? It appears that is the case. S**** Peak Drive Submitted Comments - E-mail, Phone, Written, Web Comment Form (Comments from residents of street or adjacent streets shaded in yellow at top and shaded in yellow) E-mail submitted Aug. 6 Opposed No I would like to know why Phoenix Department of Planning & Development has jumped on the stupid train, there is nothing wrong with the name Squaw Peak Drive, it is not derogatory in any way shape or form. Squaw is the name of a female Indian woman by many tribes, my daughter in-law is 100% Native American and grew up on the Yakima Reservation and is very proud of her heritage and is one of the very few who still speak the native language. People have got to stop being such big babies, and saying everything is offensive to them, learn diversity and stop conforming to others beliefs. It's okay to be different and think different, that's how it's supposed to be. And we are supposed to learn from each other and love each other. It makes no sense to change a street name that is called Squaw Peak Drive because some "one" person might be offended, yet we keep all the rap music on the radio that totally blasts every kind of person out there and has the F word every other word- and that's okay to keep on the radio? Do you see the idiocy in this? And you are playing right into it. Web comment submitted Aug. 6 No To: Mayor Gallego and City Council Members DON’T CONFUSE THE NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY’S CONCERN ABOUT GETTING RID OF THE “DEROGATORY” STREET NAME SQUAW PEAK DRIVE WITH THEIR FERVENT DESIRE AND PUSH TO GOAD YOU INTO GETTING THE STREET RENAMED PIESTEWA PEAK DRIVE. It’s very apparent that is their underlying goal. If the street must be renamed, that is one thing, but it doesn’t need to be Piestewa Peak Drive to solve the problem! A mountain, freeway, and park already have Piestewa’s name. She has been very well honored. Enough is enough!!! Web comment submitted Aug. 6. Identical comment submitted twice In favor PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING NAMES IF SQUAW PEAK DRIVE MUST BE RENAMED: MOUNTAIN PASS SUNSET PLACE DESERT SUNSET DR. DESERT SAGE DR. MOUNTAIN PASS Sunset Place Desert Sunset Dr Desert Sage Dr. Opposed No I have lived here all my life a Native Arizona I DO NOT WANT AND I REPEAT I do not want the name to change from Squaw Peak Drive. This is the most stupid thing you all have done in years. Why oh Why can't you just leave history along. I RTEPEAT DO NOT CHANGE THE NAME. Comments delivered by phone Aug. 11 In favor No I am a member of the Navajo Tribe that has lived in the Vally for over 20 years. Im very in favor of renaming the street. I really think that the “s” word needs to be changed for the sake of our children and generations coming up. This derogatory term is from long ago. For the sake of our Native women, this is a disrespectful name. Let’s change this to honor a fallen American Hero. Piestewa Peak Drive Web comment submitted Aug. 11 In favor No I have lived in Arizona all my life. I love Arizona. I have a great respect for our Native Americans. The word Squaw is a slur, as I'm sure you know. With the renaming of the Peak, we have an opportunity to honor our Native heritage, as well as the first Native American female to fall in service to our country. As I said, I love our state. We can make it even better with changing the street name to fit the mountain name. As Terry Piestewa (Lori's father said, "This is our(community) mountain." Renaming the street would complete a great honor to our Native Americans, our military service and Arizona's heritage. The good far outweighs the bad. Thank you for your consideration--Ray Powell Piestewa Peak Drive Web comment submitted Aug. 11 In favor No Good afternoon, My name is , President of Lulac Council 1191. I am also Latina and my ancestors are from the Tarahumara Tribe in Chihuahua, Mexico. I am also a Native to Arizona and have lived here all of my life. I am certain that many of you in this council are aware of the historical facts and the dynamics of this state in regards to communities of color and our Indigenous communities. We also know that our veterans sometimes do not have the appropriate resources and the health care they deserve. We can never compensate our veterans enough for being in the front lines so that all of us who are not are peacefully at home. Naming the street "Piestewa Peak Drive" would honor, Lori Piestewa and also all of our veteran and military heroes. This would be an act from The City of Phoenix to express appreciation towards courageous men and women who represent us not only as a state but also as a diverse nation. I have to also say that I find the S name of this street demeaning and offensive to Native American women. I am uncertain as to why there is even a debate happening regarding this word when most of you on this panel are aware of the atrocities committed against our Indigenous brothers and sisters. The name change is important as to also raise awareness that using terms that are offensive to Phoenix residents does not represent the City of Phoenix. On a positive note the name change will help visitors to know where to turn and how to get to Piestewa Peak . With this I thank you in advance for your time and have a wonderful day. Piestewa Peak Drive Web comment submitted Aug. 11 In favor No I'm writing in strong support for renaming both Squaw Peak Drive and Robert E. Lee Street. Native friends have told me for years that the word squaw (it bothers me to even type it), is considered offensive. I was thrilled when Piestewa Peak itself was renamed! I was so proud that our Arizona and Phoenix were acting in good faith for ALL their residents. The access drive to the peak parking lot now needs to be renamed, too. I favor Piestewa Peak (Rd, St, Dr, whatever) for consistency. I was flabbergasted to learn that there's a street in Phoenix named after the top general of the confederacy! Why here? Why would we honor a symbol of white supremacy? It's shameful, and that street should be renamed as well. Thank you for this opportunity to provide input on these issues. Piestewa Peak Drive S**** Peak Drive Submitted Comments - E-mail, Phone, Written, Web Comment Form (Comments from residents of street or adjacent streets shaded in yellow at top and shaded in yellow) Web comment submitted Aug. 11 Opposed No I am a senior citizen and grew up in Phoenix. I have lived in the Phoenix valley area since October 1957. I find it very difficult to start changing the names of so many things. I was born in Columbus, Ohio...some people want to rename my birthplace. However, since I do live here in the Phoenix area I want to comment on renaming Squaw Peck Drive. I do come to this section of town often. I wish you would just leave the name alone. However, since Phoenix has decided to change the name, please name it something I can pronounce and spell. Peak Drive, Mountain Peak Drive, Desert Peak Drive are my suggestions. Thank you...if you have read my comment Peak Drive Mountain Peak Drive Web comment submitted Aug. 11 In favor No First, I will not be able to join the online meeting but, I feel my comment is important and does support the name change of S**** Peak to Piestewa Peak Drive in honor of a fallen female Warrior. In the Navajo culture and tradition babies are given spiritual names in addition to their American name. The traditional name given to the female is "Bah" which is given in great regard that women are Life Givers and protectors of life which is observed with integrity and great respect. She is the female Warrior, the foundation of her clan. With this teaching in mind I submit that this peak is renamed and honored with Piestewa Peak Drive. Piestewa Peak Drive Web comment submitted Aug. 11 N o If you still plan to force changing the name of Squaw Peak Drive, please choose from one of these names: MOUNTAIN PASS; DESERT SUNSET DR.; DESERT SAGE DR.; SUNSET PLACE; I’m a long-time resident of Phoenix and do not want anything else named Piestewa! MOUNTAIN PASS Sunset Place Desert Sunset Dr Desert Sage Dr. Web comment submitted Aug. 11 In favor No The current name for the street S**** Peak Drive is VERY offensive to Native Americans and would like to see it changed to Piestewa Peak Dr. The street leads to the mountain and so it only makes sense to change it to Piestewa Peak Dr. Please consider and thank you! Piestewa Peak Drive Web comment submitted Aug. 11 In favor No The current name for the street S**** Peak Drive is very belittling to the Native American women and the Mountain has already been changed to Piestewa Peak therefore the street should be change in honor of the mountain and the hero that it is named after who gave her ALL for our freedom. Thank you for considering this. Piestewa Peak Drive Web comment submitted Aug. 11 In favor No I am Dine, an indigenous woman of the Navajo. I fully support the name change of this street. In my family and community the S-word is one of the worst words one can use. It is regarded as worse than four letter words because it is was a term used historically to justify the rape, kidnap, and traumatization of indigenous women and children. It is a dehumanizing term. It is toxic and has no place being used to usher people into a community, especially one that stands adjacent to a landmark named in honor of an indigenous woman warrior. Anytime this term is used it perpetuates terrible acts used against indigenous women and children today – the same indigenous community members who are going missing and found murdered in the thousands every year. Reading this term on a street sign is not passive – it incites recent memories of pain, trauma, and the core of genocide. It glorifies horrendous acts and is not a word I want to see on any sign signifying a community in this valley. This community needs signage that reflects a community of integrity, one that honors the land it stands on – that which was built on the original territory of indigenous tribes, and that tells the world it is taking a stance against usage of terms that harm others. I urge the council to change the name of the street to Piestewa Peak Drive and am relieved to know that the council will take on costs of this renaming process. Piestewa Peak Drive Web comment submitted Aug. 11 TO THE NATIVE AMERICANS: If your goal was to change the street name to remove a name you believe is offensive, you have likely achieved that goal since the mayor and city council have started the renaming process. Once this is done, for most of you and others who OCCASIONALLY drive down this street on the way to the Park, the name issue will be forgotten in a heartbeat, but for residents of this tiny street, we must deal with the name ON A DAILY BASIS FROM NOW ON. --- So now let the residents, who will be dealing with the name every time they must give out their address to someone when placing a mail order, or arranging for in-home service, or paying bills, and a myriad of other things, let them choose a street name that they are comfortable with. --- You’ve made it clear that you want the name to be Piestewa Peak Drive (which may have been your real intention to start with). But Lori has already been honored in at least 3 ways here in Phoenix, once on the Hopi Reservation, and in many other places around the United States. Tagging yet another item with the Piestewa name is not necessary to see that she has been honored and it will only cause confusion, not only because of the Piestewa Freeway that is just blocks away, but also because it is hard to spell and hard to pronounce. Of course, it also DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS listed in the City’s Street Renaming Policy. --- I realize many of you on this call probably live in the metro-Phoenix area, but I’m sure still have ties to your reservation. We don’t tell you what to name your streets or roads on your reservation, so just as we have compassion for your past history (yes, we really do), have a little compassion for us and let us choose any new name. --- TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS: We , the residents, DID NOT name this street. Though there is still reason to question whether the name needs to be changed, please don’t use our little street as the token to pay the “price” for the early settlers encroaching on Native American’s land, or because Native Americans think we were inappropriately defining the word “squaw” to mean something other than what dictionaries ORIGINALLY said was the stated definition of the word, which was not derogatory. LET US CHOOSE THE NEW NAME FOR THE STREET, WHICH NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING OTHER THAN PIESTEWA. S**** Peak Drive Submitted Comments - E-mail, Phone, Written, Web Comment Form (Comments from residents of street or adjacent streets shaded in yellow at top and shaded in yellow) Web comment submitted Aug. 11 LORI PIESTEWA HAS BEEN HONORED IN MANY WAYS THROUGHOUT ARIZONA AND THE U.S. WE DO NOT NEED TO NAME A STREET AFTER HER…THE CITY OF PHOENIX HAS ALREADY SHOWN RESPECT AND APPRECIATION IN NUMEROUS WAYS FOR HER SACRIFICE. SHE HAS ALREADY BEEN HONORED AS FOLLOWS: XXXX [1] Arizona's state government renamed Squaw Peak in the Phoenix Mountains near Phoenix as Piestewa Peak and this was codified by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names on April 10, 2008;XXXX [2] The freeway that passes near this mountain was also renamed in her honor. XXXX In addition, Senator Tom Daschle honored her, as did Indian Nations across the United States. XXXX Since her death, the Grand Canyon State Games organizers have held an annual Lori Piestewa National Native American Games, which brings participants from across the country. XXXX A plaque bearing her name is also located at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and Fort Bliss, Texas. XXXX She has also been memorialized with a plaque and ceremony at Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial in La Jolla, California. XXXX On November 10, 2011, American Legion Post No. 80 on the Hopi Reservation was renamed the Lori Piestewa Post # 80. XXXX On November 30, 2011, the Directorate of Training Sustainment headquarters at Fort Benning, Georgia was named Piestewa Hall in her honor. XXXX Her death led to a rare joint prayer gathering between members of the Hopi and Navajo tribes, which have had a centuries-old rivalry. XXXX In May 2005, Piestewa's parents and children had a brand-new home built by Ty Pennington and his crew on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition accompanied by Jessica Lynch. They also built a new veterans' center on the Navajo reservation. XXXX In 2018, Piestewa became one of the inductees in the first induction ceremony held by the National Native American Hall of Fame. Web comment submitted Aug. 11 If your decision is to change the name of Squaw Peak Drive, please consider the following for the name of our street. They do not appear to exist in Phoenix: FOOTHILLS WAY or FOOTHILLS ST. (VERY fitting for the area at the base of the mountains); GATEWAY PASS (the street serves as a gateway to the park and preserve); IRONWOOD PLACE (fits in nicely with the desert area and the nearby Ocotillo Rd.); MOUNTAIN TRAIL or MOUNTAIN TRAIL DR. (descriptive of the short route up to the hiking trails); HILL STREET (we’re at the base of the peak); AMERICAN WAY (needs no explanation); COYOTE CROSSING (we do see them crossing this area). FOOTHILLS WAY or FOOTHILLS ST. GATEWAY PASS IRONWOOD PLACE MOUNTAIN TRAIL or MOUNTAIN TRAIL DR. Web comment submitted Aug. 11 To Mayor and City Council: If you force the name change for Squaw Peak Drive, please choose from one of these names: IRONWOOD PLACE; FOOTHILLS WAY or FOOTHILLS ST.; HILL STREET; GATEWAY PASS; MOUNTAIN TRAIL or MOUNTAIN TRAIL DR.; AMERICAN WAY; COYOTE CROSSING. FOOTHILLS WAY or FOOTHILLS ST. GATEWAY PASS IRONWOOD PLACE MOUNTAIN TRAIL or MOUNTAIN TRAIL DR. Web comment submitted Aug. 11 Opposed These meetings over the past few weeks are nothing more than optics. THE DECISION HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL!. The statement being said that IF they decide to do the name change it will be made in September is false. There is no IF, they WILL do it. What better optics for an election year. This will be decided before the election. Regardless of your view on whether the name should be changed or not, we have been used as political pawns. Politically it will look great in the news. VOTES! Appease the Native American community so they will vote for you. Too few residents of the street to be concerned about their votes. There are two other streets in the metro area that also have the word “squaw” in them, but are being ignored. One is supposedly a private street in the Biltmore area named Squaw Peak Circle and the other not a private street, Squawbush Dr in the metro area. Mario in last week’s meeting said that the city supposedly has no jurisdiction over the private street to change its name even though the development is within the city and likely receives city services. If you look at the City’s Naming Process document for streets, it states that the City’s Planning and Development Department staff “works with developer to revise names when necessary”. So it appears the city DOES have jurisdiction (and responsibility) to change the name of Squaw Peak Circle if Squaw is derogatory. He also said that because Squawbush Dr was named after a bush it did not fall into the category of being derogatory. Excuse me! Double standard!!! The squaw bush or squaw berry bush. The Native Americans used the squaw berry primarily as a medicine. This is from an article in the American Indian health and diet project. It got its name back in the early 1800s because it was used by Native Americans. I’m not attacking Mario, I am just stating what my understanding is of what he referenced as the city’s excuse for why these streets are not also targeted. In all three city meetings on this issue there were roughly 37 call ins total between all three meetings. I am sure there have been some write in comments also. But in a city with a population of roughly 1.7 million people, that’s a meager consensus of Phoenicians’ opinions on this issue. But then again it was not widely published, probably because of the fire storm that then Governor Janet Napolitano started when she decided she had the power to go against policy and change the name of the peak when she knew she was over stepping her authority So other streets with the name “squaw” in it get a pass but our street does not because of the peak. I assume the other streets are not “high profile” enough. No optics! We are being muscled out of the process a second time. What this is all about is making sure the street name is Piestewa. YOU EITHER CHANGE ALL THREE STREET NAMES OR NONE! This is a beautiful area to live in. The residents paid a premium for their property to live in this area and pay taxes to that effect. We also put up with the high volume of cars RACING up the street to get to and from the park and at times the overflow of cars parking on the street from the park with driveways being obstructed and making exiting driveways difficult and hazardous. Some weeks we have multiple days with emergency vehicles (average of 7 Fire Department trucks for each emergency) running up to the park sometimes multiple times a day. So, I feel since it seems this name change will happen, the street’s residents who must deal with the name from now on should have the say as to what the name should be and NOT outsiders who PERIODICALLY visit the park. S**** Peak Drive Submitted Comments - E-mail, Phone, Written, Web Comment Form (Comments from residents of street or adjacent streets shaded in yellow at top and shaded in yellow) Web comment submitted Aug. 11 Opposed Yes I live on Squaw Peak Dr and my husband and I attended all 3 public meetings. After the 3rd meeting It struck me that there is a planned narrative from all of those that support the name change. Over the 3 meetings all but 3 speakers immediately followed their comment, that they found Squaw offensive, with “and I want the street name Piestewa Drive”. This is NOT an issue of Squaw being offensive, but rather an initiate to get the street name changed to Piestewa (the poor attendance At the 3rd meeting for just the Indian community And the 1,147 business in Arizona with the word Squaw in their name, supports this theory) I BEG you do not give in to a small minority and change my street name. And I expect you to give deference to those that actually LIVE on the street. Keeping our history intact is important to me. But if you do, please, PLEASE do not change it to include Piestawa. It’s too long, no one knows how to spell it, And I find it offensive in that it only recognizes one faction of our diverse society. Lori Piestewa has a mountain, a park and a freeway named after her. Let that be enough. My vote If you do not have enough integrity to keep the name the same - Peak Drive Thank you for your consideration. Web comment submitted Aug. 11 Oppposed The original renaming of Squaw Peak was done illegally [ignored federal regulations] by former mayor Janet Napolitano. In 2017, Phoenix City Council went against the area’s residents who followed city policy and obtained more than a 75% majority of homeowners who wished to keep the current street name, so the council changed the policy, eliminating further the rights of the citizens. If street name is to be changed now, area residents should have the right to propose names and select the name to be used for renaming. Choice of names should not be at the whim of the Council. Web comment submitted Aug. 12 “Piestewa Peak Drive” does not meet the city’s own criteria in their revised street naming policy which states “names should be short, easy to pronounce, easy to spell” and “be sufficiently distinct from existing street names”. This would put Piestewa Peak Drive just blocks away from the existing Piestewa Freeway. Choose a different name to avoid confusion. Lori Piestewa has already been appropriately honored with the renaming of the mountain, park, and freeway. Web comment submitted Aug. 12 I QUESTION THE NEED TO CHANGE THE NAME OF SQUAW PEAK DRIVE SINCE: There is NO CONSENSUS among the Native American community regarding whether or not “squaw” is offensive. For example: •Read the March 2017 arƟcle in Indian Country Today Ɵtled “Squaw” Offensive or Not – The Jury Is SƟll Out. •The Dine’ (Navajo) sƟll perform the Squaw Dance as part of their religious ceremonies •My hairdresser is a Pima Indian – she hikes the Peak – and says use of “squaw” is not a big deal and thinks all of this is a big waste of time, energy and money. The proposed name of “Piestewa Peak Drive” does not meet street renaming criteria which requires: •“the name cannot be used anywhere else in the Phoenix metropolitan area” and that •“names should be short, easy to pronounce, easy to spell” and •“be sufficiently disƟnct from exisƟng street names” oPiestewa Peak Drive is not a short name, is confusing for many to pronounce and is definitely not easy to spell oIt is also not sufficiently disƟnct from the exisƟng Piestewa Freeway that is only blocks away from the street to be renamed. oGiven these facts, it should be removed from the choice of names to be considered. oThis should not be harmful since Lori Piestewa has been greatly honored by the renaming of the mountain that now has her name, the park that has her name, and the freeway that is also named in her honor. IF name change is forced on residents, •Residents should have right to establish choices for street name •Residents should decide final name that they must live with •Some suggested names include: oSunset Place oMountain Pass oDesert Sage Drive oDesert Sunset Drive. Do outside influences have more rights than the affected residents? It appears so Sunset Place Mountain Pass Desert Sage Drive Desert Sunset Drive Web comment submitted Aug. 12 I understand why the City of Phoenix wants to rename the street named Squaw Peak Dr. This street was named many years ago before any of the residents owned their property. What I would like the City Council to do is let the property owners, on this short street, have a say in the new name THAT THEY HAVE TO LIVE WITH!I have lived in the Phoenix area for more than 60 years. I attended a Phoenix elementary school, Phoenix high school and Phoenix colleges. I am a Phoenix property owner. I have friends that live on Squaw Peak Drive. It would be such a wonderful gesture to allow the owners on Squaw Peak Drive to rename their street. Have the property owners submit a few names for the city to approve, then have the property owners, that are affected, vote on the final selection. I personally would just drop the word "Squaw" and rename the street "Peak Drive". Make it simple! Peak Drive S**** Peak Drive Submitted Comments - E-mail, Phone, Written, Web Comment Form (Comments from residents of street or adjacent streets shaded in yellow at top and shaded in yellow) Web comment submitted Aug. 12 In favor Please help restore the dignity and pride of the Native-American culture by taking away this despicable title for a holy, sacred site. In times of the Hohokam when 10 villages and hundreds of miles of canals watered this peaceful Eden this mountain was the Sacred Woman's Mountain, a place to climb and give thanks and blessings for our children, daughters, wives, grandmothers. It remains holy today still a place to free your mind of daily emotional tolls we all deal with, a place to contemplate Mother Nature and all her beauty. Take away this racist, disgraceful slur and restore the respect our city deserves, respect for all and dignity for the oldest culture of our beloved nation. Honoring Confederate Generals demeans the lives lost to preserve our nation, the rebels desperately sought to destroy the government of the people by the people to keep their wealth which relied on the slavery and inhumanity of our fellow human beings trapped and lost in this cruel practice. We should honor those who gave their lives to preserve this nation though imperfect and still evolving to a more just society for all. America still represents freedom and justice, our public statues should present and proudly honor these values so dearly paid for by true patriots. Web comment submitted Aug. 14 MOUNTAIN PASS or MOUNTAIN PASS PL.; GATEWAY PASS; MOUNTAIN TRAIL or MOUNTAIN TRAIL DR.; FOOTHILLS WAY or FOOTHILLS ST.; SUNSET PLACE; Please choose from one of these street names if the council is dead-set on changing the name of Squaw Peak Drive: DESERT SUNSET DR. or DESERT SUNSET PL.; IRONWOOD PLACE; DESERT SAGE DR. or DESERT SAGE PL.; HILL STREET; AMERICAN WAY; COYOTE CROSSING. MOUNTAIN PASS or MOUNTAIN PASS PL. GATEWAY PASS MOUNTAIN TRAIL or MOUNTAIN TRAIL DR. FOOTHILLS WAY or FOOTHILLS ST.; SUNSET PLACE; DESERT SUNSET; IRONWOOD PLACE; DESERT SAGE DR. or DESERT SAGE PL.; HILL STREET; AMERICAN WAY; COYOTE CROSSING Web comment submitted Aug. 17 In favor No In today’s climate, everyone is encouraged to speak out and voice their convictions regarding numerous issues. Considering these actions, it is time to stop disrespecting the indigenous people, particularly those in our native state of Arizona. As an original member of the Piestewa Committee, now known as Piestewa Fallen Heroes Memorial Committee, I stand behind the Native American people and all of those in support of the name change from S**** Peak to Piestewa Peak Drive. As a community, we strive to teach our children to respect and honor each other –let us reflect on this and do the right thing, putting any political issues aside. Together, let us honor the ultimate sacrifice made by Lori Piestewa for this great nation. Piestewa Peak Drive Web comment submitted Aug. 4 In favor No I am very happy to hear that these streets will be renamed. Squaw Peak was renamed Piestewa Peak nearly 20 years ago, the street rename is long overdue. We should never have had a street named Robert E Lee and renaming that street is even longer overdue. I am grateful to live in a city that is willing to work for a better future for everyone. July 30 S**** Peak Drive Community Web Forum Participants with comments (Residents that live or adjacent to street highlighted in yellow) Are you in favor of street renaming Live on or adjacent to street Comments Name suggestions Opposed Yes Speaker comments: Lived on SP Drive for 51 years. We object to the renaming. Coun. DiCiccio did not contact us on this issue. Voted against us. People already think the name has been changed. I wonder if councilmembers have driven this intersection and what they saw as the street name. We had delivery people struggle to find our street. If our street is renamed, we can say that to respond to racism we renamed a street that is three blocks long. Opposed Yes Speaker comments: You're the messengers....apologize for the anger your hearing from me tonight. I'm adamantly opposed to this. A number of residents are really irritated. I've confirmed this is response to racial justice demonstrations. I don't see how renaming has anything to do with social justice. Please don't confuse doing something with doing the right thing. City council and city leaders encumbent upon them to identify the causes of racism and address them. That's not an easy problem to solve. Don't take the easy option by renaming street. This process is unfair to residents...the meetings are open to anyone, who can drown out residents. But you have a special meeting for another group. I've researched the history or Lori Piestewa's death. I can't imagine anything more controversial than changing the name to Piestewa. Comment submitted with registration: 1.) Based on discussion with City Council In favor Yes Speaker comments: I want to thank the City Council for taking on this issue. I know it's going to be contentious. I may be in the minority on my street. I love my street and neighbors. The name of the street is cringe worthy. I'm firmly in favor of a change. Change is hard, but so is going the right thing. A change to either Piestewa or Peak Drive is a step in the right direction. I'd be honored to leave on Piestewa Peak Drive. Peak Drive Piestewa Peak Drive Opposed Yes Written comments were sent separately. Spoken comments at web forum: I thought our names would be protected, and they're not. We had to chase the postman to get our certified letter. 35 year of this area. I'm not in favor of the name change. I have a lot of respect for the Native American community and even they differ on if s**** is offensive. Indian Country Media had a story on that community within Native American community. Dine still have a s**** dance, a relgious ceremony, yet there's a problem with the name of our street. Many other streets are named S**** too, why are they exempt. Dictionary definitions also do not show the word to be derogatory. Piestewa Peak does not meet city renaming criteria. Name can't be used anywhere else...name should be short and distinct. Piestewa peak is not short and confusing to announce and spell and not sufficiently distinct from Piestewa Freeway. That should be removed from choice of alternate names. The mountain has her name. If a name is forced on us, I believe homeowners should have input and be able to have voice in final selection. Fox 10 anchor poll was overwhelmingly against it. I propose Sunset, Ironwood Drive. Sunset Drive Ironwood Drive Opposed Yes Comment submitted in writing with registration: Just leave it. Save Money and time In favor No Opposed Yes Comment submitted in writing with registration: S**** is not offensive. 15 year resident, and like many others there will be many burdens to change personal documents. The mountain is already dedicated to Mrs Piestewa , why cant that be enough?" In favor Yes Comment submitted with registration: Piestewa Peak Drive Piestewa Peak Drive End of resident comments July 30 S**** Peak Drive Community Web Forum Participants with comments (Residents that live or adjacent to street highlighted in yellow) In favor No Speaker comments (reiterating written comments submitted separately by e-mail): I want to go on record supporting Piestewa Peak Drive. Explained his family has resided in Phoenix for more than 50 years, the past 20 years in a home near the base of Piestewa Peak Mountain. As one of the original members of the Arizona Piestewa Committee, I herewith join the many others who recommend changing the name of "S**** Peak Drive" to "PIESTEWA PEAK DRIVE", as reflected in the three main reasons documented and submitted to the Phoenix City Council by the "Arizona For Piestewa Committee". Hence, the public street leading to the Piestewa Peak Mountain should be named after the mountain, as it is the only road/street that leads directly to Piestewa Peak Mountain. It's always good to give name to a street that has meaning. So many have died for the freedom we have today. Indian School Road was named that way because it led to the school campus. Camelback is named for the street it leads to. So it's logical to name the street that leads directly to the mountain after the mountain itself. It's always good to give a name that has meaning. So many died for our freedom and this honors that. Piestewa Peak Drive Opposed No Comment submitted with registration: I'm a native and grew up in the foothills of "S**** Peak". Retired city employee. I was always proud to be a city resident and work for the city. I really believed we were the best run city. I've struggled to get people on the phone over the past 3-4 months. I relate that to the fact that the city suffered due to a lack of funding. Police Dept. is underfunded by hundreds of officers. With that underfunding, i look at the costs to change the name off a small street. Why spend the money to do that? Changing our addresses is major, daunting task, especially for those in my age bracked. this is not productive for a city in financial trouble with costs of protests and damage done by them. This is a ridiculous waste of money. You're working for a small minority. Most articles I've seen show "S***" is not derogatory. I do not agree with this change. Opposed No Comment submitted with registration: Leave as is In favor No Comment submitted with registration: I live at the base of Piestewa Peak and would like to see the road renamed to ""Piestewa Peak Drive""" Piestewa Peak Drive In favor No Comment submitted with registration: Humble Way Triple Crown Way" Humble Way Triple Crown Way Opposed No Speaker comments: I'm opposed to the renaming. I'm a resident. In 2017 Mayor Stanton brought this up and the first we heard of it was a newspaper article. After residents contacted the city, we had three days notice of a meeting. City's policy required majority of residents to agree, so they changed the policy to take our rights away. The whole process has been deceitful. I don't understand why it was done this way. The word "s****" is on some Native American documents, if it's truly derogatory, the Native American community should banish it from all mentions. We're being railroaded. The name Piestewa Peak does not mean MAG renaming standards. In favor No Comment submitted with registration: The year the mountain was renamed, the street should have been renamed. Aug. 5 S**** Peak Web Forum Participants with comments (Residents that live on or adjacent to street highlighted in yellow) Are you in favor of street renaming Live on or adjacent to street? Comments Alternate name suggestions Opposed Yes Comment submitted at registration: My husband and I have lived on S*** Peak Drive for 51 years and are adamantly opposed to renaming the street. My question tonight is when will we see the answers to our questions, where are you as a councilmember, why did you not talk to us as councilmembers on July 1. How do you justify the attack on S**** Peak Drive and not on S**** Peak Circle and S**** Bush Place. City taxes are paid for both of these streets. Have all nine councilmembers driven the intersection. How can you rename the street when the vote must be unanimous. My last comment is about two Native American men who contacted residents two years ago. He walked door to door and pleaded with us not to let the name be changed. Yes Opposed Yes Comment submitted at registration: I will add to what Rick said. I took 30 seconds to look in the white pages and saw found 1,100 businesses with the name S**** in it. If the word s**** is offensive to everyone, I hardly think these businesses would be in business.I also regularly attend business events at the S**** Peak Hilton and they are overly attended.I think it's ridiculous that the City Council is allowing the tail to wag the dog. This is not a solution. We asked the councilmembers for their comprehensive plan to fight racism and how this fits into it and how this is going to racial inequality and how it will improve our city. They specifically told us "this is the plan." They have no plan...this is it. I don't want to reward the City Council for their inactivity. They're bamboozling citizens into thinking they're doing their job. Since the city changed the policy to keep residents from having the name they want, I knew this day was inevitable. Under no circumstances should the name have anything racially motivated. There are 21 tribes in this state, why they would put Piestewa on it is ridiculous. My vote would be Peak Drive. Peak Drive Opposed Yes Speaker comments: I have contacted mayor and all council members and have met with two so far. I conveyed that I think this is a reaction to social justice movements. City employees have convinced themselves that the works S**** is offensive. The idea that the word is offensive to all Native Americans is dubious at best. If S Peak Drive is renamed, do we really think that will end racism? If so, how many streets will need to be renamed? With playing the victim, there is always something else to offend. Let's stop this nonsense now and get to work on identifying the root causes of racism in our community. In favor Yes In favor No In favor No Comment submitted at registration: I'm strongly in support of renamning S**** Peak Drive to Piestewa Peak Drive. Lori Piestewa, and AZ native, sets the example of serving our great nation with bravery, integrity and spirit. It is a racial remark to say S**** Peak to a great many people, not just a few, so it should be eradicated. The name is offensive to a lot of people. This is not political thing...they have been trying to rename the street for many years now. She is a hero and people that think it's wrong to rename a peak in her honor need to rething their values. As for renaming the businesses, hopefully that is forthcoming. IF they were using a different derogatory work such as the "n" word, I think people would think differently. If someone is offended, we should walk in that person's shoes. Renaming is happening in many places...the NFL. This would be a great honor for Lori and her family. Piestewa Peak Drive Aug. 5 S**** Peak Web Forum Participants with comments (Residents that live on or adjacent to street highlighted in yellow) In favor No Speaker comments: My family has lived in the shadow of Piestewa Peak for r30 years now and I regularly hike the area. I am in support of changing the name to Piestewa Peak Drive. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give the street a truly meaningful name that would honor not only Lori Piestewa but honor the sacrifices of all our fallen heros and the sacrifices of all our veterans. The memorial sign at the trail states that by honoring one hero, we are honoring all the miliary heros and raise awareness . This would be a monument to show hikers were to turn to get to Piestewa Peak. My family, which is half Navajo, considers the name to be hurtful and pejorative toward Native Americans. Changing the name would also eliminate an inconsistency in the city's designation of the peak and park. Written comments submitted with registration: As a homeowner at the base of Piestewa Peak for 30 years and a frequent hiker of the mountain, I urge City Council to change the name of “S**** Peak Drive” to “Piestewa Peak Drive.""" Piestewa Peak Drive In favor No In favor No Comment submitted at registration: I strongly oppose keeping the name as S**** Peak Drive. Member of LULAC. The dictionary definition of the word it is derogatory and shows that the person is less worthy. I have with me a tribal member in Az named Vanessa. Switch in speakers: My name is Vanessa and I'm a member of GRIC. To change the name to Lori Piestewa would honor her. The freeway and mountain were changed, so why not the road. It's honoring her, Native Amercians and veterans. Original speaker: She says they do have basket dances but they do not have S**** dances and she should know as a member of the GRIC. Vanessa:...a s**** is considered like a female prostitute. It would be hurtful for someone to call me that o my face. Original speaker: name change would serve as a landmark and be consistent with highway and mountain. We want visitors to be proud and the word is hurtful and offensive and we should remove words that are offensive to all communities. Piestewa Peak Drive No In favor No In favor No In favor No In favor No Spoken comments at the meeting: I spoke at the first meeting a week ago because my family has resided in Phoenix for 50 years. For the past 20, I've lived near the base of Piestewa Peak. For the record, I'm African American and there few African Americans live in the area in which I live. Every morning I see that mountain when I go to get my paper and for most of the past years I've seen it named S**** Peak. I was pleased that Gov. Napolitano moved to change the name. I want to offer my support to change the name of the street to Piestewa Peak Drive. The public street leading to the Piestewa Peak Mountain should be named after the mountain, as it is the only road/street that leads directly to Piestewa Peak Mountain. It's always good to give name to a street that has meaning. So many have died for the freedom we have today. Indian School Road was named that way because it led to the school campus. Camelback is named for the street it leads to. So it's logical to name the street that leads directly to the mountain after the mountain itself. It's always good to give a name that has meaning. The word is offensive just like the "N" word has been offensive to me all of these years. Those that claim it is not should serve in the capacity I've served these 80 years. The change has to start somewhere, let's start here. Piestewa Peak Drive Aug. 5 S**** Peak Web Forum Participants with comments (Residents that live on or adjacent to street highlighted in yellow) In favor No Comment submitted at registration: I'm an Arizona Native America, veteran, a U.S. Army lieutenant. I'm an ASU grad. I'm the former arts editor for Indian Country Today. My boss at Indian Country Today was Tim Gallego, a nephew of Chief Crazy Horse. Some of the words we considered offensive included the word "s***" The S**** Dance and S**** Bread were descriptions while people gave, that is not the Indian name for the ceremony or the bread. We have Native against White in terms of integrity. Our integrity needs to be listened to. We volunteer and serve our country. I've heard people say they lived here for 50 years, our people have lived here for thousands of years and we want to have our own respect. The derogatory names that are part of the colonial dominance to native culture has been part of the problem. We didn't name those, we have our own names for those. It's time for respect. I understand the concerns of the people that live there and the pains to get their addresses changed. Think about the pain we've gone through while we were invaded by the White people. We've made peace with that, we are part of this country and we demand to be part of the respect of the country. Piestewa itself means the puddle left after a rainstorm. Lori comes from a culture of the Hopi, the Dine, not Navajo -- and Spanish. She encompasses a lot of the culture of the Southwest. By honoring Lori, you're honoring much of the culture that has not been respected, and it's about time. The burden has been on the Native nation not on the White nation. Think about the names we have to change because they were part of the invaders to us. Piestewa Peak Drive Opposed No Speaker comments: I'm a ten-year resident and I oppose the street renaming. In 2017 a majority of residents could oppose a street name change. Mayor Stanton changed the policy to cut residents out and gave the mayor and council sole authority. It was so important that the issue sat idle for three years. We are expected to change the name of S**** Peak Drive while Native Americans still perform the S**** Dance as part of a religious ceremony and they still make s**** bread. We're all being held hostage by a small very vocal group that don't necessarily speak for the entire First Nation. If they thought it was so demeaning, they would not continue to use the name in their ceremonies or other aspects of their culture especially since many AZ tribes are matriarchal e.g. the Navajo, Hope and Pima. If this issue had merit, Native Americans should first deal with it in their own ceremonies. This just looks like political pandering and appeasement. In favor No Comment submitted with registration: Piestewa Peak Drive Piestewa Peak Drive Opposed No In favor No Comment submitted with registration: I like Piestewa Peak Drive. Piestewa Peak Drive In favor No No Opposed No Comment submitted with registration: Native Phoenician and I've lived in this area most of my life. I understand and respect everything said. I agree with the residents and I don't think we should be sanitizing our history. But if we do I'm going to campaign to honor a native son, Charles Keating IV, the first Navy Seal to be killed in action. He was 31 and a member of a quick response force and he became the third American service member to die fighting the Islamic State. Charlie was born and raised her and graduated from Arcadia High and could frequently be found hiking and running the trails. We have a lot of support from the Navy Seal community but also the community at large. Charles Keating IV Aug. 5 S**** Peak Web Forum Participants with comments (Residents that live on or adjacent to street highlighted in yellow) In favor No Comment submitted with registration: I'm Ginger Sykes Torres. I want everyone to know I'm a Dine, an enrolled member of the Navajo Tribe. I'm a former world champion hoop dancer, a graduate of Stanford University. I do a lot of volunteering in the community and my kids attend school very close to the street we're discussing. I believe it is time to change the street name. It is late, but it is not too late to make things right with the American Indian Community. We are doing no favors to the Native AMerican community by keeping the name as is. Even if there are some not offended by it, there more in the Valley that are offended by it. Changing the name that leads to the mountain is particularly important to my family. I have three young kids that live within a mile of that street and we hike that area. My daughter will someday realize what that name is and means and she'll ask me what that means and what the significance is. I worry that she'll feel shameful what the actual meaning is. It portrays a caricature of a Native American woman in a shameful way and I don't want her to feel that. I feel for the neighbors that have to go through the pain and annoyance of all the paperwork. It is a hassle, but people move all the time. Think about the community you live and how to make it better and healthier and how we can live together in harmony. Want to take pride in my city, member of the Environmental Commission. This is a heavily used area. It should reflect our values as a city. Encourage the residents to think of it from a different point of view. Opposed No Comment submitted at registration: I question the need to change the name of S**** Peak Drive since there is no consensus in the Native American Community whether s**** is offensive. This was outlined in the March 2017 issues of Indian Country Today titled "S**** Peak. Offensive or Not? The Jury is Still Out." The Dine or Navajo still perform the S**** dance as part of their religious ceremonies. My hairdress is a Pima that hikes the peak and she said the use of s**** is not a big deal and thnks all of this is a big waste of time. The proposed name Piestewa Peak Drive does not meet the city's name standards that requires the name not be used anywhere else and that the name should be short and easy to pronounce and be sufficiently distinct. Piestewa Peak Drive doesn't meet these requirements with Piestewa Freeway being just feet away. This shouldn't be harmful as Lori Piestew has been greatly honored by the naming of the mountain. If the renaming is going to be forced on residents, they should have the right to establish the new name and the name they'll have to live with going forward. Why has the council not be involved in these meetings... not even our councilman. I urge the council to rethink this plan. Sunset Place Mountain Pass Desert Sage Desert Sunset No In favor No Speaker comments: I want to thank the City Council members for giving us the opportunity to speak about this. I'm in favor of the change and strongly support the name of Piestewa Peak Drive. I think for non-native people to talk about whether the name is offensive is a joke. We cannot, as non-native people, decide what is offensive. We are moving toward greater compassion, awareness and understanding in this city and state. The name was chosen at a time when people of color were fighting for their rights to show them where their place was. These actions cannot contradict the movement forward. As for the so-called difficulty of pronouncing Piestewa, think of what it woudl be like to be Native American and saying that name. I applaud you all that are standing up for this. Piestewa Peak Drive Opposed No Opposed No No Aug. 11 S**** Peak Drive Community Web Forum Participants with comments (Residents that live or adjacent to the street highlighed in yellow) Live on or adjacent to street? Are you in favor of street renaming Please list your renaming idea(s) or any comments Name suggestions Yes No Speaker comment: You know, for the most part for me, these meeting have been a little bit optics in a way. I feel the decision is already been made, there's no if as to whether the street name is gonna change. It's gonna change in September. It's just a matter of what the name is going to be. I just feel in an election year it's a little but politically motivated. I think if they are going to go thru this process, I think it would have been a little more fair to do it after the first of the year. I just feel it's political and great news worthy stuff for votes. The thing that frsutrates me and we had Mario kind of explained it last week, the analogy of what the City felt about two other street names, so I'm not attacking you Mario,please, but there's two other streets with the name Squaw in it. One is a private street and supposedly the other one is a metro street in a residential area. They both got the word Squaw in them. One is Squaw Bush and we were told that the private street you have no say over it. Squaw Bush, because it's the name of a bush, it kind of wasn't considered derogatory. I just find that ridiculous. It's a double standard. If the word Squaw is truly derogatory, then you should be going after every street in the City that's got that name in there. I mean there's no two ways around it. It just boggles my mind that they're not targeted also. You know, this is a beautiful area to live in. The residents paid a premium to have property in this area and they pay taxes to that affect. We also put up with a high volume of cars racing up down the street to the park at times and also the overflow of cars parking on the street from the park. We get a huge overflow sometimes when there's busy weekends. Driveways can be obstructed making exiting driveways difficult and hazardous. Some weeks we have multiple days with emergency vehicles running up and down the park. So, we kind of feel tha you know as the residents, we should really have the say in what the name will be and not what outsiders who periodically visit the park or drive by think it should be. I don't know, I'm just frustrated. I had big lond thing that would've taken 3 minutes to read and I decided not to go that far. But, seriously, if your gonna go after the word Squaw, go after all of them or don't go after any of them. It's a double standard and not fair. Thank you. Yes No Speaker comment: Ok, thanks. To the Native Americans on the call, if your goal was to change the street name to remove a name that you believe is offensive, you've likely achieved that goal since the Mayor and City Council have started the renaming process. Once this is done, for most of you and others who occasionally drive down this street on the way to the park, the name issue will be forgotten in a heartbeat, but for residents of this tiny street, we must deal with this name on a daily basis from now on. So now, let the residents who will be dealing with this name everytime they must give out their address to someone when placing a mail order or arranging for in-home service or paying bills and a myriad of other things, let them choose the street name that they are comfortable with. You've made it clear that you want the name to be Piestawa Peak Drive, which may have been your real intent to start with, but Lori has already been honored in at least three ways here in Phoenix. Once on the Hopi Reservation and then many other places around the United States. Tagging yet another item with the Piestawa name is not necessary to see that she has been honored and it will only cause confusion, not only because of the Piestawa Freeway that is just blocks away, but also because it's hard to spell and hard to pronounce. Of course it also does not meet the requirements listed in the City street renaming policy. I realize that many of you on this call probably live in the Metro Phoenix area, but I'm sure you still have ties to your reservation. We don't want tell you to name your streets or roads on your reservation, so just as we have compassion for your past histrory, and yes we really do, have a little compassion for us and let us choose any new name. And, to the Mayor and City Council members, we the residents did not name this street, so there is still reason to question as to whether the name needs to be changed, please don't use our little street as a token to pay the price for the early settlers encroaching on Native American's land or because Native Americans think we were inapproriately defining the word Squaw to mean something other than what dictionaries originally said was the stated definition of the word which was not derrogatory. Let us choose the name for the street which needs to be something other than Piestawa. Thank you. Yes No Speaker comment: First, I’d like to say to Percy Piestewa, I’d like to say thank you for your sacrifice. I’ve listened to the comments of American Indians at previous meetings and offsite and one thing stands out above all else, you are very proud people and I admire that. I’ve asked myself, why do I oppose doing something for people I admire. The answer is simple, changing a street name doesn’t accomplish anything for the American Indian community. It doesn’t address the history of mistreatment by the U.S. governments. It doesn’t open economic door close to you. It doesn’t do anything to improve the quality of your life. It’s an empty gesture. I want more for you. The other residents of Squaw Peak Drive want more. Let’s put a focus on getting resources to the Indian Health Service, the Phoenix Indian Center and Native Health. Let’s work with the Governor’s office on tribal relations to strengthen education of American Indian students. Your history is passed from generation to generation and I would like you to think about how powerful a story can be that you can tell future generations. Your grandfather, your grandmother, made it possible for you to go to college. Tribal elders improved your access to doctors and health care. Or, would you rather recount the story of how you changed a street name. Thanks David. Aug. 11 S**** Peak Drive Community Web Forum Participants with comments (Residents that live or adjacent to the street highlighed in yellow) No Yes Written comment submitted with registration: I would like the current derogatory street name - which is an insult to women - to be removed, and I prefer that the street be renamed Piestewa Peak Drive, in honor of fallen Native American Army soldier, Lori Piestewa, a member of the Hopi tribe. " Piestewa Peak Drive No No Speaker comment: My name is Adeezhi Salas, not Squaw Salas. Adeezhi derives from the Navajo meaning younger sister. I am the youngest sister of four. I am 14 years old and an honor student at Shadow Mountain High School. My mother is Denai, from Tolani Lake on the Navajo Reservation and my father, a U.S. Army veteran is KISH Grabrieleno Band of Mission Indians. My parents are business owners of Travel Indemnity and active in our Indigenous communities. I am a voice of my generation and a voice for those yet to be born. I am not a resident of your community, but I feel it is imperative that the residents hear the voice of future voters and future leaders. The claim that has been made in prior meeting by someone who opposes the street renaming that there is no Native consensus on the disparaging names we are called such as Squaw and others. Well, I am respectfully disagreeing with you. As a young Indigenous woman, I can say that we are reclaiming our identities that are frequently misrepresented and misappropriated within popular culture. As a non-resident of your community, I cannot demand you to honor a U.S. Patriot warrior woman I admire by changing the street’s name. Although precedence has been set that renaming the street should reflect the name of the peak rather than making a demand, I will share with you this, when I had the honor to run the eagle staff up to the top of Piestewa Peak in the spring of 2019 at the age of 13 during the annual memorial celebration of all fallen warriors, including Lori Piestewa, my thoughts and prayers were for all of us including those of you who reside at the base. The honor songs that call in the Red Tail Hawk that encircles the gathering year after year not only brings blessing to those who gather, but also brings blessings to your community. Our Indigenous history and stories have been swept under the rug and often forgotten in the midst of this great experiment we call the United States. Lori Piestewa is a Hopi warrior woman and patriot and one of our stories and I will pray that you do not sweep her story under the rug. Piestewa Peak Drive No Yes Speaker comments: My name is Tim Nuvangyaoma and I have the honor of serving as the Chairman of the Hopi Tribe. And, we also take great honors that in the unfortunate situation that Ms. Lori Piestewa was placed in and how this is coming about. We don’t want to forget the sacrifice she made along with many of our Native American veterans and it doesn’t just stand for that, but this is for veterans all across the Nation that made the sacrifices for our freedoms. One thing I do want to note is you know prior to coming back home, I did consider Phoenix as my residence for 20+ years. I went to high school out there and even in those areas with not complete understanding of Native American history and background, you know, the joking does happen when it comes to Squaw. So, I understand the derogatory nature of that particular word and coincidentally, I was in the valley on some separate business over the weekend and happened to drive down in that area and I had to think to myself, we’re in the year 2020 now and we still have issues like this that are out there and that hasn’t quite reached the level of being addressed. So, I do want to thank the honorable City Council members for bringing this to light. It’s that time. There’s a huge movement and a shift in dynamics when it comes to the entire country with equality. And, considering there you have 21 federally recognized tribes in the state of Arizona, first Nations here that inhabited this area from the very beginning should be a reminder to those that our leadership in the City of Phoenix and Arizona as well that we are not going to be invisible anymore and this is one step forward to having some of those changes made on behalf of Native America. And, so it’s just important for me to be a part of this panel and express from my view point that I do support this and I’m thankful that it is getting the attention that’s long overdue and whether you oppose it or not, I do want to thank those that commented, further comments as well, that’s the whole purpose of a public hearing. And, to those that do support it, I’ve heard many of our Native brothers and sisters speak to the fact that and others that support it as well. And, we have to move forward now, we are in year 2020 and have to address some of these issues. You know, Native lives matter and Native America needs to be heard, so I just want to mention that again. Honorable City Council, I appreciate you bringing this to the table and giving us an opportunity to voice our feelings about the name itself and what it represents. So, thank you this evening and I will echo what Ms. Titla said also, we’re hoping to get your support and votes to make this a reality and make the change and let’s get it renamed. Thank you sir. Piestewa Peak Drive Yes No Speaker comment: My name is Traci Morris and I am a member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, but I make my home in the valley. I’ve been here almost 20 years in the Phoenix area. As a lot of relocated Indians are, we have one of the largest populations with Native American Urban Indians in the country, if not, the largest, well no, Manhattan’s higher, but I digress. I am the Director to the Executive Director of the American Indian Policy Institute at Arizona State University. I have a PhD in American Indian Studies and I have been around a number of folks; this is what I do, this is what I do every day. But I can’t speak in the eloquent words that Lori’s mother spoke in that moved me to tears. So, I’m just gonna say this, I support Piestewa Peak Drive as the name because it’s the right thing to do to honor a Native American woman killed in action fighting for this country. Words matter, representations matter, I urge the City Council to do the right thing. Thank you. Piestewa Peak Drive Aug. 11 S**** Peak Drive Community Web Forum Participants with comments (Residents that live or adjacent to the street highlighed in yellow) No Yes No No Yes No Yes Speaker comment: My name is.. I’m a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe. I am a decedent to three Apache “inaudible”, some who may have inhabited the area surrounding Piestewa Peak. On numerous occasions, I’ve had the honor and pleasure to hike Piestewa Peak, as I live here in the valley. Unfortunately, I forced to see the S word, a hurtful word, on a street sign on the way there. Today, I’m speaking out because I’m now a grandmother to two beautiful granddaughters who are paying attention. Choice of words are important. The S word makes me cringe. It’s not a word in my vocabulary. I cannot bring myself to say it. It’s highly offensive and is part of a painful past. The S word is a European settler word. It’s not an Indigenous word. Despite what some may say, specifically it might be part of root words coming from the Algonquin language, the word has evolved over time and has been used to disparage Indigenous women. It’s an ugly word. When people say the S word is not offensive, it invalidates the opinions of those who say it is. When someone says the S word is not offensive, they dismiss the feelings of those who say it is. When someone says the S word Is not offensive, they are saying opposing views are insignificant. When someone says the S word Is not offensive, they believe their choice of a word is more important because the dominant society has accepted it as a non-offensive word. It’s time to take down the S word from street signs. The Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historic Names and eventually the U.S. Board on Geographic Names did the right thing when they voted to rename S Peak to Piestewa Peak. I urge the Phoenix City Council to do the right thing. To choose the right words for the street leading up to Piestewa Peak. Please vote in favor of an honorable and meaningful name. Please vote for Piestewa Peak. Thank you. Piestewa Peak Drive No Yes Speaker comment: Hi Mario and City staff. Thank you do much for hosting this meeting and providing the opportunity to provide input on this important City process for the proposed renaming of Piestewa Drive. My name is Ginger Sykes Torres, I’m Navajo Dene and a resident of North Central Phoenix. I’m a trustee on the Board of Directors at the Heard Museum and I’m involved in numerous aspects of community service within our City Boards and Commissions. I strongly support the renaming; I think it is the healthy thing for our community to do right now. I love within a mile of the street and my children attend the school that is basically on this street. The time to change the street is late, but it’s an opportunity right now to take a street with a derogatory name and turn it into something that can be a point of pride for our City and our visitors and from anyone that comes from out of town, native or non-native, we can be proud of the new name. And in addition, I think it is important that we change the name for our children who will be here in this valley long after we are all gone. I appreciate the City offering to assist residents with the name change and thank you in advance to all of the City staff that will be standing by to help residents with the street name change and I just wanted to thank you all for my comments and the opportunity to provide comments. That’s all for me. No No No Yes Speaker comments: First off, I’d like to thank all of you for being here as well your time, greatly appreciated. I’m here to speak out on behalf of my people and voice what is right within our community. I am a 5th generation Arizona native as my family roots date back to prior to 1912. I take great pride in the way my family helped build this state and so I recently utilized “23 & Me” and to my surprise, I’m over 40% Native. And this came as a surprise to me as I embark on this journey to learn about what tribe I have history in, which was news, but only reassures my stance on renaming these streets to respect and honor the lives of the people and Native lands here in Arizona that came before me. The S word needs to be eradicated and removed as this is a slur based on a negative past, it’s derogatory. Like I said, let’s take a look at honoring our people, honoring our state, and real history. I once again want to thank you all for you time, it’s much appreciated. Be blessed. Thank you. Aug. 11 S**** Peak Drive Community Web Forum Participants with comments (Residents that live or adjacent to the street highlighed in yellow) No Yes Speaker comment: My name is Patricia Hibbeler, I am a citizen of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Montana. I am also CEO for the Phoenix Indian Center and a lifetime trustee for the Heard Museum. The S word is offensive and one that make me cry and feel ugly. It is a word that is negative towards us, American Indians. It has been used for several years to dehumanize people and the contemptuous connotation has been extended far beyond the Algonquin Tribes to all American Indian women from Maine to San Francisco. When I moved to Phoenix over 20 years ago, I was shocked that this word still continued to be used within the City and all of the opposition for it to be changed. The S word continues to offend me and other American Indians. A simple courtesy says it’s time to dump this name and place it in the linguistic trash can just as other radical ethnic and gender slanders. Several states have already passed laws to rid all names with the S word such as Minnesota, Montana, Colorado and Maine. Please do not treat us as an invisible population within this urban environment. Please respect our presence and are emotions toward a word that is based on a negative past and continues to be more demeaning to our American Indian women. It’s time for the City of Phoenix to find a name to be proud of for our next generation of young people and demonstrate to them the true appreciation for diversity. Let’s do the right thing. I would also say to the gentleman who spoke earlier in regards to changing names of other streets with the S word, let’s change them all. Words matter. Thanks you. No Yes Speaker comment: Good evening, my name is Ernest Martinez. My wife, who is Navajo, and family have lived at the base of Piestewa Peak for the past 30 years. We're related to Lori Piestewa and the family. I'm also the coordinator for the annual Piestewa Fallen Heroes Sunrise Memorial, held every year for the past 16 years at Piestewa Peak on the day that Lori died. The Hopi, the Navajo, and representatives from Indigenous populations that formally inhabited our Phoenix area and veterans from throughout Arizona and the public come to the service faithfully every year to honor Lori, all our Native American fallen heroes and our veterans. But, it doesn't stop there. Upon the direction of the Piestewa family, we honor all our fallen heroes from Arizona regardless of race and the services of all our veterans. The former POW's of the Iraq War come every year to help us. The night before the sunrise memorial we have our reception, dinner and candlelight vigil at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral Hall. For the mothers and family members of loved one from throughout Arizona that have died for us in war. They are called Gold Star families and they carry the sacrifice of their loved ones daily in their heart. These sacrificies are what have made our country great and preserved the freedoms that we enjoy today. All the members of the public, of course, are welcome to attend all ceremonies and that is why we would like to see the name of the street leading to the mountain be names Piestewa Peak Drive in honor of Lori, our Native American community, our loved ones throughout the state that died protecting us, are precious Gold Star families and our veterans. One thing we must never forget is freedom is not free. The name of the street could be a daily reminder of the greatest sacrifices made by so many thoughout our history to make and keep this country free. Thank you. Piestewa Peak Drive No Yes No Yes Speaker comments: Good evening, “words spoken in his native language that I do not know and unable to write down”. I just introduced myself in a language that my grandfather in World War II and as Ms. Hibbeler and the rest of the ladies have shared, words matter. Our words help win the war in World War II. And this word of this street is very demeaning. And we have an epidemic, a quiet epidemic that is now, not so quiet. The missing and murder of Indigenous women is an epidemic that has been quietly taking innocent Native American women and girls, boys, transgendered, lgtbq across the United States. And it’s because of words like these socially acceptable words that demean, dehumanize my relatives, my sisters, my mothers, my grandmothers. It’s time that we, together, work on, one step at a time, and this is one step that we can work on together. And, as the caller mentioned, there’s other words and other street names throughout the City that we also need to work on. And, let’s do this together. As first nations of Arizona; first nations of the United States all living in metro Phoenix, let’s make a change together so that we are all welcome in the City of Phoenix. Thank you. No Yes Speaker comment: My name is Percy Piestewa, I am Lori Piestewa’s mother. I would be very humbled to have the name of this street leading to Piestewa Peak be named Piestewa Peak Drive in honor of Lori. Many of you have members of your family who have served or are presently serving our country. Close your eyes and imagine, one day you get a news flash on t.v. the unit your family member is in has been ambushed. Then, you hear that your family member has been killed. It is very heart wrenching experience for everyone, not just the families, why, because those who have given their lives, have done so for all of us so that we may be able to enjoy the freedoms we so often take for granted. In the mix of the heartbreak and devastation, there is a bright light. The community, the different ethnic people, the world, comes to conclusion to honor someone by renaming a landmark. By doing this, they honor all who have served. It is a truly humbling experience to our families to know that our communities understand and remember the sacrifice our military heroes have made. It is also a great honor to know that Lori and all who have sacrifice will never be forgotten. It will also serve as a reminder that freedom is not free. I would like to read scripture John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Thank you for allowing me to make my comments. Piestewa Peak Drive No Aug. 11 S**** Peak Drive Community Web Forum Participants with comments (Residents that live or adjacent to the street highlighed in yellow) No Yes Piestewa Peak Drive Piestewa Peak Drive No Yes No Speaker comment: Thank you very much. So, I'm Dede Devine with Native American Connections, a non-profit that's been providing services to the Native community in the Phoenix area for over 50 years. As the City of Phoenix moves forward as a very inclusive city, this is really a simple decision. The only community that can be, can really determine if this street name is offensive is Indigenous women and we have heard their voice in previous testimony and written comments and I'm sure comments here tonight. I'm asking that you show respect for voices that haven't always been heard or listened to and I'm asking that you change the name and do the right thing. Thank you. Yes No Yes Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes Speaker comment: I am recovering from a brain aneurysm, so be patient with me. I am pleased to answer the call to represent our people of this great state. Did you know there are 22 tribes in our state and all of them are federally recognized? My name is Jackson Harris and I am a matrilineal warrior. My mother (do not know spelling of her mom’s name), died of Covid-19. Her little brother, a Vietnam veteran, also passed within the week. Our people have been hit very hard. Our beautiful Native daughter deserves this honor. She gave her life and she didn’t think twice about it. Can you imagine? Please help us begin the healing. 2020 could very well go down in history as a turning point. Be part of the change. I talked with Percy, Lori’s mother, today and mother to mother I feel her pain. I lost my mother to Covid two months ago. This is not a hoax. This is taking our people, but in the same vein, we can heal. We are strong. We come from strong stock. We are the people, the first peoples, So, thank you very much for letting me be a part of this, it’s so important for us. Thank you, have a good night. Piestewa Peak Drive Yes No Yes Speaker comment: Hi there, I just have a really quick question and then I'll speak real quick. So, it was my understanding that the Robert E. Lee was supposed to be renamed as well. Is that a different meeting that is going to be happening? Ok, cool, alright, so, first and foremost I think it goes beyond without saying that, of course, the street should be renamed Piestewa. I definitely drive thru this street almost single day to take a hike up that and seeing that racial slur hanging out there every single day is definitely not something I would expect from a City the size and diverse as Phoenix. Also, I want to say that there is a doctor named Dr. Winston Hackett and I think he would be a perfect person to put on the Robert E. Lee. He was one of the most capable doctors here in Phoenix. As a matter of fact, you could probably put anybody from the Hackett family up there. Dr. Hackett provided medical services not only people of color in the City when it was segregated, he also provided help for those of any race with socially destigmatized ailments. Some who were alienated from medical care from anybody and any place. He built at least 6 colleges to help patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and then converted the hospital he built for everyone here in Phoenix to the Winston Inn, which housed and fed hundreds of World War II draftees. And so, I think that's very important. The last thing I wanted to say is I think it's really important that Phoenix is doing things like changing signs and everything like that, but comes across as virtue signalling when here in our City we have one of the most violent Police forces. In November of 2019 they were in the news for stop and frisk packets. This week it was found out that Phoenix police disappropriately used force on people of color. And just recently this week as well, Phoenix police are arresting protestors that are utilizing their first amendment rights and I find it very disconcerning that we spend more money on public relations than we do on rape cases. I do want to just say it needs to not just stop at the signs and make sure that we go after things including our Phoenix police which are causing a lot of violence on our streets. Thank you. Piestewa Peak Drive ATTACHMENT C 1 Desert Sunset 1 Piestewa Peak Drive 2 Charles Keating IV 3 Coyote Crossing 4 Humble Way 5 Michael Williams 6Mountain Trail Drive 1 American Way 2 Desert Sage 3 Foothills Way 4 Gateway Pass 5 Hill Street 6 Iron Mountain Drive 7 Ironwood Drive 8 Mountain Pass 9 Peak Drive 10 Sunset Drive 11 Sunset Place 12 Triple Crown Way THE FOLLOWING PROPOSED NAME IS NOT CURRENTLY IN USE, BUT IS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO DIFFICULTY PRONOUNCING/SPELLING ALONG WITH LACK OF GENERAL FAMILIARITY Vainom Do’ag or Vinum Dwaug (Iron Mountain) Street Names Proposed as Alternatives to S**** Peak Dr NAMES ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION SUBMITTED BY COMMUNITY THE PROPOSED NAMES BELOW ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION DUE TO MATCHING/SIMILAR STREET NAME ALREADY EXISTING IN PHOENIX REGION NAMES ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION SUBMITTED BY RESIDENTS OF S**** PEAK DR.