Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park — The U.S. Board of Geographic Names has approved restoring the "Kuwohi" name to a location in the Great Smoky Mountains, with a vote of 20-0.
In 2022, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' Tribal Council passed a resolution that officially began the process of having the original name restored. As part of that process, several counties showed their support by passing symbolic resolutions, including Knox County and Campbell County.
Leaders behind the effort said it has been in the works since 2022.
"We are not removing anything, we are just restoring it," said Mary Crowe, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who helped lead the effort.
Efforts to restore the name didn't stop there. The tribe also needed support from counties in North Carolina and East Tennessee. Kuwohi is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, measuring more than 6,000 feet. That is almost the size of five Empire State Buildings.
"We were blessed to get the support from the Clingman family," said Crowe.
The location, previously named Clingmans Dome, was named after U.S. Senator Thomas Lanier Clingman from Asheville. He was also a general for the Confederacy who fought to preserve slavery. Clingman had no connection with the Cherokee people and the next generation of the family favored the name restoration.
"His family said it's about time," Crowe said.
Crowe also said she hopes locals and tourists feel a spiritual connection in the mountain.
"The trails you are walking are trails created by my people," Crowe said.