Naming Justice: The Movement to Replace Harmful Place Names in South Dakota

By Erika Pietrzak, January 22, 2025

Across the country, thousands of harmful and inaccurate place names identify our outdoor spaces and geographic regions, often bearing terms used to degrade minority groups.

Street Sign in Custer County, South Dakota containing sq*** slur [

Image Credit: Erika Pietrzak]

Across the country, thousands of harmful and inaccurate place names identify our outdoor spaces and geographic regions, often bearing terms used to degrade minority groups. People of color in the United States are forced to face slurs, names of their ancestors’ murderers, and reminders of horrific violence in many public places. These unwelcoming and hateful names further traumatize marginalized groups while continuing harmful cycles of oppression. 

South Dakota is no exception. In 2016, South Dakota tribes experienced a major win in changing the name of a sacred mountain from Harney Peak to Black Elk Peak. This occurred in South Dakota when there was heightened attention on offensive place names. However, this attention fell as soon as it rose, preventing any changes for the last few years. During my visit to South Dakota this past fall, violent and offensive names were proudly displayed on the sides of major roads, large plaques, and the most popular tourist attractions.

Chapter 1-19C: Historical Names

Though the South Dakota state law Chapter 1-19C: Historical Names was passed in 2001, several parts have since been repealed (the law is often amended) and little action has been taken since its initial passing. Chapter 1-19C Section 1 specifically bans the use of the sq*** slur against Native women, and Section 4 lists the US Board on Geographic Names (USBGN) changes to over two dozen place names in South Dakota containing the slur. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland expanded this ban on sq*** place names to a nationwide level in 2022. Though these changes may be official, they are not always fully implemented;   many signs, maps, and public displays  remain unchanged, limiting the impact of these policies. 

Initially, Chapter 1-19C did not identify any particular offensive word or phrase but broadly mandated the change of place names that “are offensive and insulting to all South Dakota's people, history, and heritage.” While identifying a specific word that must be replaced throughout the state allows for more direct attention on removing the slur from state place names, it also limits the approved target place names, like those with the word “scalp” in it. Section 4 of the original act then identified more than three dozen place names, mostly containing sq*** or n*gro, many of which have still not been renamed. The current version of Section 1 was more recently amended in 2014.

In 2011, Chapter 1-19C expanded to create the South Dakota Board of Geographic Names (SDBGN). In 2016, the SDBGN was limited by the state, adding to Chapter 1-19C that the Board “may only act on a name change for a geographic place name that has been identified by state law as being offensive or insulting, except that the board may hold hearings to consider recommending names to the Legislature as offensive or insulting.” The SDBGN meets yearly and is largely based on public comment and involvement to identify and justify place name changes. The infrequent meetings and little public involvement outside of Indigenous tribes have allowed South Dakota’s government to ignore many offensive place names and promote harmful ideology,

“Scalp”

The changes in Section 1 and amendments to the SDBGN’s power significantly limited the impact of Chapter 1-19C since the mid-2010s. As a result, bills like SB142 aimed at changing offensive names, including the word “scalp,” failed to make the Senate Affairs Committee. Those working to kill the bill cited no outcry from the citizens in the area about these names. Lee Schoenbeck, one of the main politicians in opposition to SB142, claimed that Indigenous tribes in South Dakota are not showing any concern with the state government and are more concerned with their tribal councils. This excuse allows politicians to deny positive name changes while distancing themselves from those they impact the most. Despite the failing bill, South Dakotans and their allies have not stopped fighting to change place names with “scalp” in it.​

Scalp Creek in Gregory County, South Dakota [Image Credit: Hayden Outdoors]

Custer State Park

Custer State Park, one of the largest and most visited state parks in South Dakota in its southwest corner, attracts 1.8 million people yearly. The park is named after George Custer, who “is infamous for his Black Hills expedition, triggering the Black Hills Gold Rush on land belonging to the Lakota people” in violation of the 1868 treaty; “for clashing with the Lakota people, killing Indigenous warriors and some women and children; and for fighting the Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes in the Battle of Little Bighorn.” In 2022, two Indigenous lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 178 to change Custer State Park’s name. This bill gave a deadline of July 1, 2023 to the SDBGN to identify a replacement name and a deadline of July 1, 2027 to implement this replacement fully. 

One of the suggested replacement names with the most traction was Elk Song State Park, suggested by a Lakota writer from the Cheyenne River Tribe named Lanniko Lee. However, the Senate Affairs Committee rejected this legislation 7 to 1. Cuck Woodard, a retired South Dakota State University English professor, addressed Custer State Park’s name: “Should a dishonorable person be honored by having places named after him? … This isn’t about political correctness. It’s about doing the right thing.”

Custer State Park in South Dakota [Image Credit: Erika Pietrzak]

Conclusion

Proven by the influx of name changes between 2012 and 2017, renaming offensive places in South Dakota is possible. The early establishment of Chapter 1-19C and the subsequent creation of the SDBGN were significant positive steps. However, the outcomes of recent proposals show a bleak future unless more people support these changes. With Indigenous tribes, in particular, being attacked through place names, the South Dakota government has distanced themselves from Indigenous groups. To rename all of these offensive place names, significant public pressure is required.

Renaming in South Dakota is largely based on the public, inside and outside the state. If you would like to help push for renaming all offensive place names in South Dakota to more favorable terms, submitting public comments to the SDBGN and USBGN and attending their public meetings are the best ways to make your voice heard.

Change The Chamber is a nonpartisan coalition of over 100 student groups, including undergraduates, graduate students and recent graduates.