Bill Overview
Title: To designate a peak in the State of Washington as "qʷəɬtmáyqn-ʔistiqayuʔ-Mount Cleator".
Description: This bill designates a 7,630-foot peak in the Glacier Peak Wilderness in the state of Washington as qʷəɬtmáyqn-ʔistiqayuʔ-Mount Cleator. The new name includes Wolverine Head written in the languages of the Wenatchi and Sauk-Suiattle peoples.
Sponsors: Rep. Beyer, Donald S., Jr. [D-VA-8]
Target Audience
Population: People whose wellbeing is impacted by the naming of geographical locations in indigenous languages
Estimated Size: 30000
- This peak is located in the state of Washington.
- The peak is being named in the languages of the Wenatchi and Sauk-Suiattle peoples, suggesting cultural significance to these groups.
- There may be national interest as it sets a precedent for recognizing indigenous languages in naming geographical features.
- While the direct impact is localized, the action may reflect a broader trend in recognizing indigenous rights in the US.
Reasoning
- The renaming of a peak in the Glacier Peak Wilderness to include indigenous names directly impacts the cultural and historical connections of the Wenatchi and Sauk-Suiattle peoples. Therefore, individuals from these communities may experience a medium to high impact on their wellbeing due to increased recognition of their heritage. However, given that the policy is symbolic and doesn't necessitate significant financial changes, its total societal impact remains limited, thus affecting a smaller target population.
- Washington residents who participate in outdoor activities may notice the change and experience a low impact on their wellbeing as it pertains to cultural and environmental awareness. For many in the broader national population, the impact will be minimal, reflecting only in a symbolic sense of cultural appreciation or shift.
- The budget constraints limit the policy to predominantly symbolic actions, such as signage and educational material, with little room for large-scale promotional activities.
- The policy provides a positive precedent for future considerations of indigenous recognition in public nomenclature, aligning with national interests in preserving cultural diversity.
Simulated Interviews
Park Ranger (Seattle, WA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's a great initiative to recognize the indigenous names of these peaks. It adds a richer context to the places I work around.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Indigenous Cultural Advocate (Spokane, WA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a long overdue recognition of our heritage. It gives me hope for more such changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Retired (Omak, WA)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Seeing our language on maps feels like acknowledgment. It's nice, but I'm cautious about how much change it really brings.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Environmental Scientist (Portland, OR)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Naming landforms with indigenous names helps us remember who stewards these lands. It's a reminder of cultural responsibility.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
State Tourism Director (Olympia, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This gives us a new narrative to promote tourism with, highlighting cultural histories.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
History Teacher (Houston, TX)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It may seem small, but this kind of recognition in naming is part of a larger needed shift.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Tech Consultant (Chicago, IL)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate learning about the indigenous names as a visitor. It makes the experience more meaningful.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Marketing Specialist (New York, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a positive effort in acknowledging true histories, and it instills pride in identity acknowledgment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retired Professor (Sacramento, CA)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Changing names on maps signifies an important cultural shift. It's overdue recognition of native history.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Freelance Writer (Denver, CO)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognition through names is key for understanding our history's breadth. It's an inspiring move.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000 (Low: $25000, High: $75000)
Year 2: $10000 (Low: $5000, High: $15000)
Year 3: $10000 (Low: $5000, High: $15000)
Year 5: $5000 (Low: $2500, High: $7500)
Year 10: $5000 (Low: $2500, High: $7500)
Year 100: $1000 (Low: $500, High: $1500)
Key Considerations
- Cultural significance to the Wenatchi and Sauk-Suiattle peoples and broader implications for the recognition of Indigenous languages.
- Limited immediate economic or financial impact on both local and national levels.
- Potential for setting a precedent in how geographical features are named nationally.