In a historic decision, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has returned its highest peak to its original Cherokee name, Kuwohi, over 150 years after it was named for a Confederate general. The US Board of Geographic Names voted in favor of changing the name from Clingmans Dome to Kuwohi, which translates to "mulberry place" in Cherokee, following a request from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
A Sacred Connection Restored
"The Great Smoky National Park team was proud to support this effort to officially restore the mountain and to recognize its importance to the Cherokee People," said Superintendent Cassius Cash in a news release. The Cherokee have long held strong connections to Kuwohi, a place they consider sacred and central to their traditional homeland.
Preserving History and Heritage
Kuwohi, visible from the Qualla Boundary, home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is a place of spiritual significance and historical learning. Each year, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park closes the peak for three half-days to allow predominantly Cherokee schools to visit and learn about the mountain's rich history and the Cherokee people's enduring legacy.
A Popular Destination
As the most visited national park in the United States, with over 650,000 visitors annually, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park shares the stories of its lands, including the peak that was once known as Clingmans Dome. The name change is part of an ongoing effort to honor and respect the indigenous history and culture that predates the establishment of the park.
A Name Change Proposal
The proposal to restore the peak's original name was submitted in January by Michell Hicks, Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The decision by the US Board of Geographic Names to revert to the Cherokee name is a significant step towards acknowledging and celebrating the Cherokee's deep-rooted connection to the land.
Moving Forward Together
The National Park Service is committed to working alongside the Cherokee People to share their story and preserve the landscape that has been a part of their heritage for generations. The renaming of Kuwohi is not just a change of label but a recognition of the cultural significance and the rightful place of the Cherokee People in the history of the Smoky Mountains.
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