(CNN) — Updated September 13, 2021:
The Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows ski resort has announced it will change its name to Palisades Tahoe, effective immediately.
The Washoe Tribe was part of the decision-making process on the new name.
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The company decided to drop the derogatory name after outreach to Native American groups, including the local Washoe Tribe. When the resort was named in 1949, there was no intent to be derogatory or offensive, the Tahoe-area resort stated.
“With the momentum of recognition and accountability we are seeing around the country, we have reached the conclusion that now is the right time to acknowledge a change needs to happen,” said Ron Cohen, president and COO of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. “While we love our local history and the memories, we all associate with this place as it has been named for so long, we are confronted with the overwhelming evidence that the term ‘squaw’ is considered offensive.”
The mountain resort is known for its skiing and snowboarding and provided venues for the 1960 Winter Olympic Games.
“As much as we cherish the memories we associate with our resort name, we must accept that these emotional attachments do not justify our continuing use of a word that is widely accepted to be a racist and sexist slur,” Cohen said. “We will find a new name that reflects our core values, storied past, and respect for all those who have enjoyed this land.”
The process to determine the resort’s new name is scheduled to begin immediately. A renaming project team lead by resort leadership will manage the selection and an announcement is planned for 2021.
CNN’s Lilit Marcus and Kelsie Smith contributed to this report.