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Debate simmers over name of Devils Tower monument in Wyoming

FILE - This Thursday, July 9, 2015 file photo shows Chief Arvol Looking Horse, spiritual leader of the Great Sioux Nation, posing for a portrait in front of Devils Tower National Monument in Devils Tower, Wyo. As the nation's first national monument approaches its 110th anniversary in 2016, Arvol Looking Horse has petitioned to change the name of the geologic feature to Bear Lodge and the name of the monument to Bear Lodge National Monument. Opponents of the idea say changing the name would cause confusion and hurt tourism. (Dan Cepeda/The Casper Star-Tribune via AP, File)
FILE - This Thursday, July 9, 2015 file photo shows Chief Arvol Looking Horse, spiritual leader of the Great Sioux Nation, posing for a portrait in front of Devils Tower National Monument in Devils Tower, Wyo. As the nation's first national monument approaches its 110th anniversary in 2016, Arvol Looking Horse has petitioned to change the name of the geologic feature to Bear Lodge and the name of the monument to Bear Lodge National Monument. Opponents of the idea say changing the name would cause confusion and hurt tourism. (Dan Cepeda/The Casper Star-Tribune via AP, File) FILE - This Thursday, July 9, 2015 file photo shows Chief Arvol Looking Horse, spiritual leader of the Great Sioux Nation, posing for a portrait in front of Devils Tower National Monument in Devils Tower, Wyo. As the nation's first national monument approaches its 110th anniversary in 2016, Arvol Looking Horse has petitioned to change the name of the geologic feature to Bear Lodge and the name of the monument to Bear Lodge National Monument. Opponents of the idea say changing the name would cause confusion and hurt tourism. (Dan Cepeda/The Casper Star-Tribune via AP, File)

By Associated Press 4 min read

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – When President Theodore Roosevelt designated the country’s first national monument 110 years ago, the proclamation inadvertently left out a punctuation mark, and what was supposed to be Devil’s Tower became Devils Tower instead.

Some say that’s not all it got wrong.

According to local American Indians and others, the landmark’s name was based on an incorrect translation and is offensive given the tower’s religious significance.

“It hurts us to think about such a beautiful, sacred place called Devils Tower,” said Chief Arvol Looking Horse, spiritual leader of the Great Sioux Nation.

Looking Horse has petitioned the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to change the name of the huge rock butte to Bear Lodge, and has asked the Obama administration to rename the site Bear Lodge National Monument.