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New York Post
5 days ago
- General
- New York Post
‘Nazi' Creek in this US state is getting a new name after 70 years — here's why
A one-mile stream in Alaska dubbed 'Nazi Creek' after it was reclaimed from the Axis Powers during World War II has finally been renamed after more than seven decades of debate. Kiska Island and Little Kiska at the far western end of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska were taken over by the Japanese military in June 1942, mere months after the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor 1,000 miles away. 4 Nazi Creek was originally named by US soldiers while using an alphanumeric grid system for their maps. Bettmann Archive Advertisement The occupation lasted a year. But it wasn't the Japanese who gave the creek its hotly contested name. Instead, American soldiers dubbed the stream 'Nazi Creek.' The title was 'arbitrarily applied to features' around the area by the US Army Air Forces for tactical reasons during the war, according to the Dictionary of Alaska Place Names. Even after World War II ended, the name remained at a federal level and was placed on an Army map in 1953 before Alaska joined the US six years later. Advertisement 4 Nazi Creek is about one mile long. Alaska's News Source At the time, the military used an alphanumeric grid system on its maps. The mile-long stream fell into the 'N' grid, and so Nazi Creek was born. Other natural features nearby were named under the same system, including places Moron Lake, Rat Lake, Jeff Cove, Robert Ridge and Magic Mountain, according to the Alaska Guide Company. Advertisement Some other spots like Auburn and Brunette Cove were also named by soldiers who just liked the titles because of the association with classic 'pin-up' girls, according to the website. 4 Soldiers named other nearby natural features including Moron Lake and Magic Mountain. Getty Images Renaming Nazi Creek was a two-year-long endeavor spearheaded by Alaska historian and map enthusiast Michael Livingston. The historian sought to establish new titles to reflect the Indigenous Aleutian Unangax̂ who originally resided in the area, he told KUCB last year. The proposed name was workshopped over time, but it stayed centered around 'Kangchix̂,' the island's Unangax̂ name, which translates to 'gizzard' in English. Advertisement Finally, the creek's name will be changed to 'Kaxchim Chiĝanaa,' which translates to 'creek or river belonging to gizzard island.' Livingston also lumped in a campaign to rename nearby 'Nip Hill' — an ethnic slur against Japanese people. Like the creek, its name was changed to 'Kaxchim Qayaa,' or 'gizzard hill.' 'It wasn't appropriate in the 1940s, and it's certainly still not appropriate in the 2020s,' he told the outlet. During the spring, the Alaska Historical Commission voted unanimously to change the names, which gave the effort more momentum. The US Board on Geographic Names has since approved the name changes, making way for the federal government to remove Nazi Creek and Nip Hill from databases, according to the New York Times. 4 The new names were inspired by the Aleutian name for the island, 'Kangchix̂.' Getty Images The roughly 880 Unangax̂ residents who lived on the island when it was raided by the Japanese were evacuated and placed into internment camps by the United States. Advertisement Roughly 80 died of disease while festering in the miserable conditions, according to 'Unangax̂: Coastal People of Far Southwestern Alaska,' a paper by Douglas Veltre, an emeritus professor of anthropology at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Tens of thousands of people of Japanese descent, including US citizens, were also placed in similar internment camps after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Congress voted in favor of paying reparations to both groups in 1988, specifically for the harm they suffered while imprisoned.
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Alaska's ‘Nazi Creek' renamed to honour Indigenous heritage
Federal officials on Thursday unanimously approved the renaming of two natural features on Alaska's Little Kiska Island, removing World War II-era names considered offensive and replacing them with Indigenous terms. The changes are a long-awaited step toward restoring cultural respect and historical accuracy in the Aleutian Islands. The Aleutian Islands saw military action during World War II, including Japanese occupation of Attu and Kiska Islands.(File/ The United States Board on Geographic Names voted 17-0 to rename the 'Nazi Creek' to Kaxchim Chiĝanaa which translates to 'Gizzard Creek' or 'Creek belonging to Gizzard Island' in Unangam Tunuu, according to a report by the Alaska Beacon. A nearby summit known by a slur for Japanese people was renamed to Kaxchim Qayaa or 'Gizzard Hill'. Both the names were derived from traditional Indigenous names for Little Kiska Island. A report by SF Gate quoted Michael Livingston, a member of Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska, who led the campaign for change, said the elders of the community were happy with the name change. 'It's about making things better for our community, " Livingston said. Livingston's efforts, the report added, were backed by local Native tribes, cultural institutions and civil rights organizations including the Museum of the Aleutians, Congregation Beth Sholom of Anchorage, and the Alaska chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League. The origins of old names The former names, as per the Alaska Beacon report, dated back to a 1953 US Army map, where cartographers assigned arbitrary names based on alphabetical order, an explanation critics said was dismissive and harmful. Livingston said that these offensive terms were removed after World War II but somehow reappeared in mapping databases during the 2010s due to unvetted digitization of old maps. The Aleutian Islands saw military action during World War II, including Japanese occupation of Attu and Kiska Islands. The US government then had forced many Indigenous Unangax̂ people into poorly maintained internment camps. Many had died from illness and neglect in these camps. Federal reparations for those actions, according to the Beacon report, were granted in 1988 alongside payments to Japanese Americans interned during the war. Livingston's mission for change continues Livingston, a former police captain, was inspired to push for accurate mapping after delayed emergency response in Anchorage in 2002 which was partially caused by map inaccuracies. That's when he came across 'Nazi Creek' while reviewing outdated maps and was appalled to see it still in use. Livingston told SF Gate that to see 'Nazi' on a map in 2020s America was 'unthinkable'. His next target is Quisling Cove, a body of water named after Norwegian Nazi collaborator Vidkun Quisling. The renaming is currently under review. FAQs Q: What was 'Nazi Creek' renamed to? It was renamed to Kaxchim Chiĝanaa, meaning 'Gizzard Creek' in the Unangam Tunuu language. Q: Why were the names changed? The names were considered offensive and rooted in arbitrary WWII-era naming conventions that ignored Indigenous history. Q: What language are the new names from? Unangam Tunuu, the traditional language of the Indigenous Unangax̂ people. Q: Are more name changes expected? Yes. A campaign is on to rename Quisling Cove, another WWII-era name referencing a Nazi collaborator.
Herald Sun
07-07-2025
- Health
- Herald Sun
Tradies among the rise of Gen Zs opting not to drink alcohol
Gen Z guys are ditching drinking and embracing a sober, healthy lifestyle at a higher rate than girls, experts say, with some unlikely suspects taking on the teetotal life by the reins. Young apprentice tradies are among those leading the charge of youths staying away from booze, saying they prefer to have protein shakes at the gym over afternoon beers at the pub or to go on hikes at the weekend rather than party at a bar or nightclub. It comes as this masthead can exclusively reveal new research that found one in five 18-24-year-olds went longer than six months without alcohol last year. The survey of 1454 people last year by not-for-profit Dry July – which is encouraging people to abstain from alcohol this month to raise money for cancer support organisations – also found younger adults were more likely than the general population to say they were drinking much less (23 per cent compared to 17 per cent). Within Gen Z, a significant 63 per cent said they were motivated by their desire to save money while 35 per cent said wanting to fit in with their peers were top motivators for not drinking. Additionally, two in five said taking a break has become a social norm (40 per cent) and 30 per cent noted it as 'cool'. Statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023 found that risky drinking males have been slowly declining since 2019, from 47 to 45 per cent. National Drug Research Institute Associate Professor Dr Michael Livingston said the drop in risky drinking for young men had been more evident compared to young females. 'Both men and women in their 20s were drinking less than previous generations, but the drop for men was steeper,' he said. 'This was partly because they had further to fall, but it may also reflect that reductions in risk taking had more of an impact on men's drinking.' Apprentice landscaper Spencer Broda, 18 said his friends' drinking behaviours made him want to stay sober. 'My friends and I would much rather go out and do an activity together, where we don't have to drink and we can drive home' he said. 'I think it would feel weird if I was the only one drinking in a group.' Playing basketball on the weekends, he wanted to make sure his body was ready for games. 'If I drank and played the next day, I noticed I felt almost weaker,' he said. 'When I stopped drinking on the weekends, my game was so strong.' Apprentice carpenter at Ace Davies Carpentry, Nick Armstrong, said he made the decision to stop drinking to gain back control. 'For me, I had some bad experiences and I wanted that damage control,' the 27-year-old said. 'My friends will still drink but it's all in moderation now.' Apprentice carpenter at Kingsford Carpentry, Jorgan Tapau, said his strong commitment to fitness and the gym made him less likely to go out drinking. 'When I didn't drink, I would find myself going to the gym more regularly, which I really enjoyed,' the 19-year-old said. 'I have a really strong interest in the gym and just bettering my overall health.' Apprentice plumber Zander Te Brugge, 22, from Our Local Services said when he stopped drinking, he had a clearer mindset. 'When I stopped drinking, I felt more productive and had more interest in my hobbies,' he said. 'I'd would much rather splurge on camping or work on my cars than spend money on alcohol.' These changes surrounding alcohol culture aren't just noticed by friends, but by bosses too. Founder of North Shore Carpentry and Renovations, Alex Nejman, 30, said there had been a significant shift in the workplace since he was an apprentice. 'It's not the same culture that it used to be,' he said. 'When I was doing my apprenticeship, we would go to the pub almost every day, have a couple schooners and go back to work, but that's not the situation anymore.' For Mr Nejman, end of year celebrations are now more inclusive for those who choose not to drink. 'We go out camping, or go on hikes, it's healthier and more fun,' he said. At Boss Carpentry WA, Michael McCracken said his apprentices were drawn more to fitness than the pub. 'We have five apprentices and we've seen really strong sports dedication,' he said. At Brisbane City Landscapes, young mindsets have also shifted, according to managing director, Jack Blair-Swannell. 'Our younger labourers are less interested in alcohol than we were,' he said. 'A lot of our guys are really focused on fitness and sports.' Stephen Lawrence, founder of Australia's first non-alcoholic bar Brunswick Aces, said Gen Zs, alongside other demographics, had increased their purchasing of non-alcoholic beverages at his bar. 'We get everyone from the 18-year-old that wants to go out but doesn't want to drink, to the 80-year-old who was told to cut back,' he said. Research fellow at the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, Gianluca Di Censo, said that although the trend was promising, it's essential for young people to be aware of the dangers of risky drinking. 'Youth is a period characterised by high-risk episodic drinking so we still need to make sure young people are aware of the harms of binge drinking,' he said.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Here's how federal assistance might work after the ice storm
A snapped-off utility pole lays by the side of the road in Bear Creek Township on March 31, 2025. (Photo: Michael Livingston/IPR News) This coverage is made possible through a partnership between IPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization. Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer requested an emergency declaration from President Donald Trump for the state, 12 counties and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians following the historic ice storm that hit northern Michigan. If granted, up to $5 million from the federal government would be made available to help northern Michigan clean up and recover. Local, tribal and state entities and utilities have been responding to the storm for weeks, clearing roads, cleaning up debris and repairing power lines. Whitmer also called in the National Guard to help. The state estimates that costs for responding to the storm already exceed $7 million. Officials have said federal assistance is central to recovery in the region. U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, a Republican, and Sens. Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin, both Democrats, supported that request. In a news release from the governor's office, Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police, said approval of the emergency request 'would bring critical federal resources to support local response operations that are still ongoing. This is a necessary step while we work toward the broader disaster declaration that will bring additional relief.' But how does the process actually work? After a disaster hits, local, tribal and state governments will typically be the first to respond. If they don't have enough resources to deal with the aftermath, governors and tribal governments can request assistance from the federal government, which the president has to sign off on. Disaster declarations are structured through a law called the Stafford Act. 'There are incidents that obviously the state needs help dealing with, because no state or community can take care of it on their own, and that's when federal aid is designed to kick in,' said Anna Weber, a senior policy analyst for climate adaptation at the environmental nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council. Weber spent a decade working on federal contracts related to water infrastructure and environmental health. There are two types of federal disaster declarations. One is an emergency declaration, which the president decides on and which doesn't have to meet any threshold. The other is a major disaster declaration, which often requires a damage assessment to determine if an area is eligible. (In situations where it's clear that federal assistance will be required, officials don't have to wait for a damage assessment to request federal assistance.) The state of Michigan will work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, and the Small Business Administration to assess whether the region is eligible for that assistance. It's up to President Trump to decide whether or not to grant that relief, which usually goes to local entities to help with cleanup and recovery. In an emailed statement to IPR, White House spokesman Kush Desai said, 'The Trump administration is closely tracking the situation and is working with state and local officials to assess what next steps are needed.' Emergency declarations are typically processed pretty quickly because they don't need to meet any specific criteria. The goal is to get aid to the area quickly. And that can also be a stopgap to give FEMA time to assess the damage to see if more assistance is needed. If that is the case, the governor can request a major disaster declaration which would unlock additional federal dollars. And unlike the initial emergency declaration, in a major disaster declaration FEMA considers a range of criteria, such as a state's financial capacity and resources. Those assessments begin next week. 'There'll actually be people out there driving around to areas that they can reach, you know, going looking at things with clipboards, writing down the kinds of damages that we've seen in these areas, how much money it costs and how many additional resources the state might need in order to address it,' Weber said. If the region is eligible for major disaster relief, other forms of aid can then come into play — such as cash payments to individuals and public assistance for more long term recovery like repairing infrastructure. Rep. Bergman is urging counties to assist in those assessments. 'For us to have a chance at securing Individual Assistance and Public Assistance, we need to take an all-hands-on-deck approach,' he wrote in a newsletter from his office on Thursday. 'I encourage our leaders in all 12 counties to support this effort as we work together to secure help for our communities.' These relief efforts kick in after events like the ice storm, but federal hazard mitigation grants have also aimed to reduce the impact of future disasters. Uncertainty surrounds FEMA amid the Trump administration's efforts to cut costs and reshape the federal government. Trump and those in his administration have said they want to drastically reduce – or even eliminate — the agency. The situation has been constantly changing, but Weber said there have been concrete impacts: 'What we have seen is that staff and programs at FEMA are being eliminated, and aid is being slower to arrive even if it's already been approved.' Those cuts have reached efforts to prepare for disasters as well. For example, Grist reported earlier this month that FEMA plans to dismantle a program, passed under the first Trump administration, to help communities prepare for disasters before they hit. FEMA didn't respond directly to IPR's questions this week about criteria for a major disaster declaration in northern Michigan or what the damage assessment consists of. Still, Weber said the big takeaway is that federal aid is meant to supplement what's already being done, so people can look to local governments and organizations for information and help.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Del Cerro residents sue city over recent reversed decision on mega church project
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Resident group 'Save Del Cerro' is legally challenging the city council's recent approval of the All Peoples Church project, a large scale church at the intersection of College Avenue and Interstate 8. 'Del Cerro residents really had no choice but to sue because of the city council's arbitrary decision-making,' said Michael Livingston, with Save Del Cerro. Save Del Cerro's lawsuit claims the environmental review of the development was flawed and inadequate. In fact, more than a year ago, the city council agreed when they originally shot the project down in a 6-2 vote. In March, the city agreed to reconsider the project as part of ongoing litigation with All Peoples Church. 'The project was the same, everyone acknowledges that including councilmembers at the meeting, and yet there was no request for additional information. It was simply the same project after a lawsuit had been filed, so we believe that this is not what the city wants to stand for,' Livingston said. The 'Light Project' was subsequently approved in a 5-4 vote. The six-acre plot of land was originally zoned for housing, with plans for two dozen single family homes. Attorney for Save Del Cerro Cory Briggs provided a statement that reads: 'Given the city's persistent declaration that we are experiencing a housing shortage, it is impossible to understand why the city would eliminate a site perfectly situated for housing. The city's lie about the lack of harm to the public makes this even worse.' Meantime a representative for All Peoples Church told FOX 5/KUSI: 'While news of the lawsuit is disappointing, we believe the Light Project will prevail given the exhaustive analysis conducted during the lengthy approval process.' However, it's that very analysis that is now the basis of Save Del Cerro's legal fight that once again leaves this project in limbo. In the end, it just couldn't make the findings required. It couldn't rely on the data that the developer provided and all of these things end up in this environmental impact report. This is the basis for which the city denied it originally and which were challenging the approval now, explained Livingston. The city is unable to comment on pending litigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
