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 the Native American tribes for whom this site is sacred.

On behalf of Chief Arvol Looking Horse, the Spiritual Leader of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota, 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.  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 if legislation involving the name 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, the Secretary of the Interior, or the United States 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.

For more information: https://sacredecology.com/projects/bear-lodge