Buffalo mayor signs bill renaming Squ*w Island

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) – Members of the Seneca Indian Nation joined Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown as he signed a bill changing the name of Squ*w Island.

The island park in the Niagara River is now called Unity Island.

Monday’s bill signing followed a vote by the Common Council last month to change the 336-year-old name following complaints that it was offensive to Native American women.

The action continues a nationwide movement toward replacing the names of sports teams and geographical sites whose labels are now viewed as insensitive or outright offensive.