As concerned citizens, we urge the US Government to rectify a long-standing injustice by restoring the original indigenous name "Bear Lodge" to the iconic geological formation currently known as "Devils Tower" in Wyoming. Additionally, we call for renaming the park to "Bear Lodge National Historic Landmark."  This petition is of great significance because it aims to honor and respect the rich cultural heritage of all the Native American tribes for whom this site is sacred.

Sign the Petition: https://chng.it/nvvPBDxnkX

On behalf of Chief Arvol Looking Horse, the Spiritual Leader of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Oyate, also known as the Oceti Sakowin, or the Great Sioux Nation, we have created this petition.  He has worked to restore traditional Native American ceremonies since the 1970’s, and in November 2014 he submitted an official proposal to the United States Board on Geographic Names to restore the original name of Bear Lodge (Mato Tipila in Lakota).  Now, a strong show of public support is critical to reinforce the importance of this proposal.

Despite dozens of historical maps showing that Bear Lodge was the correct name of this mountain, it was renamed to Devils Tower in 1906.  Colonel Richard Irving Dodge, a man who publicly advocated for the genocide of Native Americans with his infamous words, “every buffalo dead is an Indian gone”, was the first to ascribe the name Devils Tower to this sacred mountain.  This act was not only historically inaccurate, but also extremely offensive and disrespectful to indigenous tribes. Adding further insult, the name Devils Lodge implies that the indigenous ceremonies being held at this sacred site for thousands of years, and even to this day, are an act of devil worship.

The United States Board on Geographic Names (USBGN) has a legal mandate to avoid names that are "shown to be highly offensive or derogatory to a particular racial or ethnic group, gender, or religious group."  Therefore, the formal proposal submitted by Chief Arvol Looking Horse in 2014 should be assured approval, for the same reason the renaming of Harney Peak to Black Elk Peak was approved in 2016.  However each year, in a deliberate act to derail the renaming process, certain Senators and Representatives from the state of Wyoming propose bills to Congress to maintain the name Devils Lodge. Though these bills never get passed, they serve to block the name change because the USBGN has a policy of not acting on petitions to change a name if legislation involving the change is pending before Congress.

Due to this deliberate manipulation of legislative process, the only way left to restore the original Native American name of this sacred site is by the executive authority of The President of the United States, Secretary of the Interior, or Congress.  This exact same process happened with the restoration of the indigenous name to Mount Denali in Alaska.

Now, we need your support to demonstrate the importance of this proposal! 

By restoring the original name and renaming the park, we can take a significant step towards rectifying historical injustices and promoting cultural understanding. Let us honor the indigenous heritage of this land and create a more inclusive future for all.

We call upon the US Government to listen to Chief Arvol Looking Horse's plea and act in accordance with justice. Sign this petition today to support the restoration of Bear Lodge's rightful name and its recognition as Bear Lodge National Historic Landmark.

Together, let us celebrate diversity, promote respect for indigenous cultures, and ensure that our nation's landmarks reflect an accurate representation of our shared history.

Please Sign and Share the Petition: https://chng.it/nvvPBDxnkX

“Since time immemorial, the Earth’s lands and waters have been central to the social, cultural, spiritual, mental, and physical wellbeing of Indigenous peoples. It is essential that we do everything we can to honor sites that hold historical, spiritual or ceremonial significance. The Interior Department is committed to protecting these sacred sites from desecration, while at the same time collaborating with Indigenous communities to increase access and ensure good stewardship of their lands.” ~ Deb Haaland

Supporting Links :

Chief Arvol Looking Horse’s official name change proposal to the United States Board on Geographic Names: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n4CCmuGNdv1V89VGlXebuqpbt3KIg8Ni/view

Secretary Haaland Announces Interagency Effort to Protect and Increase Access to Indigenous Sacred Sites: https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/secretary-haaland-announces-interagency-effort-protect-and-increase-access-indigenous

Executive Order by President Clinton about Indian Sacred Sites in 1996: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JAqKKMC6PO_Mx6OTpWfKPU6yMLSLhNzI/view

Advisory Council of Historic Preservation (ACHP)— “The Relationship Between Executive Order 13007 Regarding Indian Sacred Sites and Section 106”: https://www.achp.gov/digital-library-section-106-landing/relationship-between-executive-order-13007-regarding-indian

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: https://www.achp.gov/sites/default/files/2018-07/UNDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeoples.pdf

National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) — “In Support of the Name Bear Lodge National Monument (Currently ‘Devils Tower’)”: https://www.ncai.org/resources/resolutions/in-support-of-the-name-bear-lodge-national-monument-currently-devils-tower

The National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (NATHPO) — Guide to Changing Racist and Offensive Place Names: https://www.nathpo.org/assets/pdf/Place_Names_Guide/

Legislation proposed to US Congress to derail renaming process: https://www.congress.gov/search?q=%7B%22source%22%3A%22legislation%22%2C%22search%22%3A%22%5C%22devils%20tower%20national%20monument%5C%22%22%7D

2018 House Report with Dissenting Views: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CRPT-115hrpt630/html/CRPT-115hrpt630.htm

The Wyoming Board on Geographic Names (BGN)— supporting links to historical maps, documents, and evidence : https://seo.wyo.gov/surface-water/wyoming-board-of-geographic-names

US National Park Service — “Proposals to Change the Name”: https://www.nps.gov/deto/learn/historyculture/devils-tower-proposals-to-change-the-name.htm and “The Genesis of a Name”: https://www.nps.gov/articles/devils-tower-name-genesis.htm

Smithsonian Magazine — “In 1868, Two Nations Made a Treaty, the U.S. Broke It and Plains Indian Tribes are Still Seeking Justice”: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/1868-two-nations-made-treaty-us-broke-it-and-plains-indian-tribes-are-still-seeking-justice-180970741/

Huffington Post — “6 More Landmarks That Should Have Their Indigenous Names Restored”: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/landmarks-denali-indigenous-names_n_55e5f674e4b0aec9f354c572

Written by Christine Peterson, Founder & Director of Sacred Ecology

Photo of Chief Arvol Looking Horse by Dan Cepeda