Let’s talk. You know, there is an interesting situation going on in the Smokies.
The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians is considering a resolution asking that Clingman’s Dome be changed back to its original name of Ku wa hi, which it held before the Cherokees were forcibly removed from their land.
In 1859, Arnold Guyot, a surveyor and professor, was responsible for the name change. It was a result of an argument between Thomas Clingman, a Senator from North Carolina, and Elisha Mitchell, a professor at the University of North Carolina.
They were arguing about what the highest peak was in the area. Guyot discovered that what is now Mount Mitchell was 39 feet taller than what is now Clingman’s Dome. Guyot named the highest peak after Mitchell and the losing peak after Clingman. That is how Clingman’s Dome was named.
Now, here’s a little information about Thomas Clingman. Clingman served as a Senator from North Carolina but had no ties to the Cherokee Nation. He left the Senate in 1861 and became a Confederate General.
He received amnesty after the war. Now, the Cherokee Nation is seemingly unhappy with the name Clingman’s Dome. The Cherokee Nation has a long-standing history associated with Clingman’s Dome.
When it was Ku wa hi, medicine men and members of the tribe would go there to receive spiritual guidance. Many Cherokees sought refuge there to escape removal from their land. A Cherokee Legend states that the White Bear, the Chief of all bears, and the Bear Council live there. Another Cherokee Legend claims that the enchanted lake of Atagahi, the lake of healing waters, is located between Ku wa hi and the headwaters of the Oconalafee River to the East.
Ku wa hi is a rich part of the Cherokee Nation’s culture and history. The tribe is going to vote on whether the resolution to request the name change goes forth later this month. It will be interesting to see what happens next.
Having said that, let’s share a breakfast beverage and a Native American Proverb. Today’s Proverb goes like this, “Take only what you need and leave the land as you found it.” Thanks for coming. Enjoy your gift of today, and have a great day. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
