Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Swain showed its support for restoring the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park back to its original Cherokee name, Kuwohi, when the county commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution in support on Thursday, Sept. 8.
The resolution supports the effort of Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to petition the federal government to restore the name Kuwohi, meaning mulberry place, to the mountain that is currently called Clingmans Dome. To do so, the tribe is petitioning the U.S. Board of Geographic Names for the change.
“We began this project in July, and tribal council gave their support,” said Lavita Hill, who along with Mary Crowe started the petition.
“Now, I’m here. I am knocking on all doors in the area to get support for this is. It important, I’m emotional about it,” Hill added. “I love the idea of what we are potentially giving back to our ancestors… our future generations are going to be so proud of us.”
“It is restoring it back to its original name, I think that’s the important thing to emphasize,” said Commission Chairman Ben Bushyhead.