Final week, the U.S. Board of Geographic Names (BGN) voted in favor of a request by the Jap Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) to vary the identify of the best peak in Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park (GSMNP). Formally generally known as Clingmans Dome, the height’s identify has been restored to the Cherokee identify, Kuwohi (pronounced koo-WHOA-hee and spelled ᎫᏬᎯ in Cherokee syllabary), which interprets to “mulberry place.” The applying was filed by EBCI members Mary Crowe and Lavita Hill, who started their efforts to revive the identify again in 2022.
“I’m nonetheless in somewhat little bit of shock…However I really feel like that is an unbelievable victory for our folks,” Hill informed Cherokee One Feather. “What began as a enjoyable thought transpired into reclaiming our native language on a big mountain inside the park. Earlier than my first go to to Kuwohi to satisfy with a reporter I used to be nervous, however my sister mentioned our ancestors are with you. And that gave me the motivation and willpower to do the work.”
The NPS acknowledged Kuwohi is a sacred place for the Cherokee folks. The best level inside the conventional homeland will be seen from the Qualla Boundary, the house of the EBCI. The park closes the realm for 3 half days out of the 12 months for predominantly Cherokee colleges to go to Kuwohi to study the historical past of the mountain, and Cherokee language audio system, elders, tradition bearers, and group members all contribute to telling the realm’s historical past.
“The Nice Smoky Nationwide Park crew was proud to help this effort to formally restore the mountain and to acknowledge its significance to the Cherokee Individuals,” park superintendent Cassius Money mentioned in a press release. “The Cherokee Individuals have had sturdy connections to Kuwohi and the encompassing space, lengthy earlier than the land grew to become a nationwide park. The Nationwide Park Service seems to be ahead to persevering with to work with the Cherokee Individuals to share their story and protect this panorama collectively.”
With greater than 650,000 guests per 12 months, Kuwohi is without doubt one of the most visited websites in GSMNP. Kuwohi will not be solely the tallest level within the park, it’s the tallest level in Tennessee and the third-highest east of the Mississippi River. Efforts are already underway to replace signage, web sites, and different supplies with the Kuwohi identify.
Cowl photograph: View from Kuwohi in April 2023. Courtesy of NPS
