MONONA, Wis. -- Is "Squaw Bay" a racist term or treasured part of Monona's history? That was the debate during a public hearing at the Monona City Council meeting Monday night.

The area has been called Squaw Bay longer then most residents can remember.

Some people who live in the bay say the name has history and re-naming it to Frost Woods Bay is much ado over nothing.

"I think there are better things to worry about than changing the name of something that's been named for like a hundred years," said resident Bruce Barlow, who has lived on the bay for three years. "But, I guess it's politically incorrect, so somebody's going to make a big deal out of nothing."

Concerned Squaw Bay resident Jim Guilfoil maintains the issue is about civil rights: first Jews, then blacks and women, and now Native Americans, he said.

"I feel we've learned a lot since World War II about what racism is," said Guilfoil.

Guilfoil says the word "squaw" is derogatory, referring to women's genitalia.

"Squaw is a translation -- an English word used by settlers to refer to a lesser woman," said Guilfoil. "That's no longer acceptable. I don't care how long people have done it, it's just not acceptable."

Monona Mayor Robb Kahl is willing to listen but concerned about where the debate could lead.

"This could open a can a worms because Winneque is a major road in our city and name of a middle school," said Kahl. "It apparently means Winnebego squaw. I don't think anyone is in a rush to change Winnequa. I'm certainly not."

Other residents agree they aren't ready for change either.

Many say Squaw Bay holds cherished memories, but members of the Ho Chunk and other Native Americans say change is overdue.

"It's more out of human dignity," said American Indian Aaron Bird Bear. "When you know that a name is offensive to a particular group of citizens and you do nothing about it, then it has a lot of statement about who you are as a community and we're hoping people respect the nations of Wisconsin." Bear works for UW American Indian Student Academic Services.