KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' Tribal Council unanimously voted on Jan. 4, passing a resolution to submit an application to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names to restore the name "Kuwohi" to a mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains.
The site is currently named Clingmans Dome, and is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains, and all of Tennessee. It's named after a U.S. Senator and a commander for the Confederate Army during the Civil War, who also spent some time studying the mountain's height.
For thousands of years before then, it was a site of significant importance to the Cherokee. It was called Kuwohi, which means mulberry place. Mulberry is the type of fruit that is grown on the mountain.
"Kuwohi is also well documented in oral teachings of our stories, for example, the Bears used to meet in council under Kuwohi," the resolution said. "Recently, the United States government has shown a willingness to engage with tribes to correct the naming of sacred and reverent places back to their historically appropriate names, and restoring the Kuwohi will help accomplish this."
In 2022, the tribe passed a resolution that officially began the process of exploring whether to submit an application. As part of that process, several counties showed their support by passing symbolic resolutions, including Knox County and Campbell County.
The resolution allows the Principal Chief to submit the application.
"EBCI recognized and applauded the unwavering efforts of Tribal Members Mary 'Missy' Crowe and Lavita Hill. Their tireless efforts have made this initiative possible," the tribal council said on social media.