What is Renaming?
After years of advocacy, this Colorado peak was renamed to Mount Blue Sky in honor of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. Learn more about this mountain’s journey to a new name here. (Photo Credit: John Fielder).
Across the country, there are thousands of geographic features with racist and derogatory names. These names perpetuate prejudice and make people feel uncomfortable and unwelcome in the outdoors.
Changing derogatory names is a powerful process of healing and reconciliation. We aim to heal and regenerate hope through acknowledging trauma and fostering a healing and respectful journey to a new name.
As a coalition, CORE supports federal-level renaming efforts and locally-driven renaming campaigns. We seek to build power from the ground up. CORE engages local communities throughout the country providing resources and support needed to pursue name changes and support equitable, transparent, and respectful renaming processes. This engagement will reflect inclusivity, respect cultural diversity, and work to rectify historical injustices.
How are place names changed?
In the United States, the primary method of changing the names geographic features is through the Department of the Interior’s Board on Geographic Names (BGN). This Federal body manages Federal geographic name usage. They accept proposals to change place names, and meet on a regular basis to review and vote on these proposals.
In 2022, the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers and The Wilderness Society created a guide to the BGN’s renaming process. This resource aims to make it easier for Tribal Nations, grassroots organizations, local leaders, and the general public to take actions against offensive and derogatory places names. You can access this guide here.