Great Smoky Mountains' Highest Peak Renamed Kuwohi in Cherokee Restoration

The
Highest Peak
of the Great Smoky Mountains, once known as Clingmans Dome, has officially been restored to its Cherokee name: Kuwohi (pronounced koo-WHOA-hee). Following a favorable vote by the US Board of Geographic Names on the request made by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the change has been made official. Cassius Cash, the Superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, expressed pride in supporting the effort to restore the mountain's original name and acknowledged its significance to the Cherokee People. Kuwohi, standing at an elevation of 2,025 meters (6,643 feet), holds immense cultural and spiritual importance to the region's Native community, translating to 'Mulberry place' in English. The mountain served as a place of refuge for some Cherokee individuals during the tragic Trail of Tears period, where thousands lost their lives due to forced displacement by the US Government. Originally named Clingmans Dome in 1859 by geographer Arnold Guyot after Thomas L. Clingman, a Confederate army general, the decision to restore the mountain's Cherokee name reflects a broader movement of reclaiming Indigenous identities in the US. Lavita Hill and Mary Crowe from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians spearheaded the initiative, following similar successful efforts such as the renaming of Mount Doane to First Peoples Mountain in Yellowstone National Park. Geographical renaming has been a recurring theme in the country, with instances like Piestewa Peak in Arizona being renamed in honor of a Native American soldier. The ongoing discourse surrounding the renaming of 'Devils Tower' in Wyoming challenges colonial narratives and seeks to acknowledge and respect Indigenous perspectives on the landmark's significance. As the Kuwohi mountain reclaims its original name, it symbolizes a step towards recognizing and preserving the heritage and legacy of the Cherokee People in the Great Smoky Mountains region.