In a move towards cultural recognition and historical accuracy, Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, will officially revert to its original Cherokee name: Kuwohi, CNN reports.
This decision comes after a unanimous vote by the US Board of Geographic Names, following a request from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
The Cherokee name, translating to “mulberry place,” holds deep cultural significance for the tribe. Kuwohi is a sacred site within their traditional homeland and is visible from the Qualla Boundary, home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
“The Cherokee People have had strong connections to Kuwohi and the surrounding area, long before the land became a national park,” said Superintendent Cassius Cash in a park release. “The National Park Service looks forward to continuing to work with the Cherokee People to share their story and preserve this landscape together.”
The name Clingmans Dome was bestowed in 1859 by geographer Arnold Guyot, who honored Confederate Brigadier General Thomas Lanier Clingman, a prominent North Carolina politician.
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Principal Chief Michell Hicks submitted the name-restoration proposal in January. The park, which receives over 650,000 visitors to Kuwohi annually, has already begun incorporating the Cherokee name into its signage and information materials.
