Washington County Considers Changing Potentially Offensive Lake Name

Should "Halfbreed Lake," the official name of a body of water in the Washington County city of Forest Lake, be changed?

That's what more than 15 residents hope is a result of a petition they signed that asks the lake to be renamed, saying the current name "reflects poorly on the lake and community."

"Halfbreed" is understood to be an offensive term for someone born to parents of white and Native American ancestry.

The Washington County Board of Commissioners will consider renaming the lake at its meeting Tuesday, KSTP reported:

"Halfbreed is certainly a lot more offensive than Sylvan," said Jack MacKenzie, a 13-year resident on the lake who is involved with the petition drive.
"Most people call the lake Sylvan Lake anyway. We just want to try and make that official."
Corbid said county officials also reached out to the state's Indian Affairs Council, who provided feedback on the name, indicating it does carry an offensive connotation.

Read much more at KSTP.

Image via Google Streetview