A view of Mahto Tipila, or Bear Lodge, in Wyoming. Photo from Facebook

Public comments are being requested on a potential change to the name of Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming.

"Devils Tower" is a mistranslation of the Lakota term for the sacred Mahto Tipila, or Bear Lodge. Chief Arvol Looking Horse, a spiritual leader, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, say the name should be changed.

“It is never too late to correct a mistake, especially an offensive name used at someone’s sacred site,” Looking Horse wrote in a November 2014 proposal to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, The Casper Star-Tribune reported.

Only Congress can change the name of a national monument, the National Park Service notes. But the U.S. Board change the name of the geologic feature "Devils Tower" and the surrounding area, which is known as "Devils Tower, Wyoming."

Comments can be sent to the U.S. Board or the Wyoming Board on Geographic Names. There is no deadline.

Get the Story:
Proposal could rename Devils Tower to Bear Lodge (The Casper Star-Tribune 6/21)