Hopefully you haven't been in a coma the last 6 years but imagine if you were and you finally come out if it and learn the Washington Redskins are now the Washington Commanders, the Gypsy Moth is now Lymantria Dispar and one of the islands in the Finger Lakes has changed it's name. What has happened?

The names and identities of these examples and many more are being changed after being deemed offensive. What is offensive about the Finger Lakes? There is a small island on Canandaigua Lake that, as recently as a year ago, was called Squaw Island. Not anymore.

104.5 THE TEAM logo
Get our free mobile app

Some say "squaw" refers to a woman's body part and Merriam-Webster Dictionary considers 'squaw' to be dated and disparaging. According to Rochester First, Squaw Island is now called Skenoh Island. “Skenoh,” translates to either health or peace.

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation made the name change official. Their website indicates that USGS approved the name change and that the new name Skenoh Island is supported by the Seneca Nation and the DEC.

Google
Google
loading...

The next dispute might be over the designation as New York's smallest State park. This island holds the title in many sources, State Park at the Great New York State Fair also claims to be the states smallest.

On a quick search I found a few "Squaw Islands", one of which is off the shore of Long Island. Another is located on the Susquehanna River in Owego, New York, Squaw Island Marshes on Cape Cod and Squaw Rock in Boston. No word on whether these locations will be changing their names.

Rat Island New York

The smallest island in New York City is Rat Island but the origin of the name has nothing to do with rodents.

Step Inside This $15 Million Mansion In The Finger Lakes

This $15 million mansion in the Finger Lakes has 11 bedrooms.

New York Fall Foliage Map 2022

Timing is everything if you want to do some leaf peeping. This is what you can expect in New York State and the entire Northeast for Fall 2022.

More From 104.5 THE TEAM