By Carrie Moore
After hundreds of comments and numerous public meetings, the renaming of Harney Peak could become a reality.
The South Dakota Board of Geographic Names recommended by unanimous vote to change the name from Harney Peak, named after Gen. William S. Harney, to the Lakota phrase “Hinhan Kaga,” which translates to “Making of Owls.” The name — which the peak was originally referred to by Native people — was proposed in earlier public testimony. The official name would be “Hinhan Kaga (Making of Owls),” should the name be approved.
The recommendation is not final.
The board will allow another public comment period for 30 days, where the board hopes to hear from Lakota language experts to determine whether Hinhan Kaga is the historically accurate name for the mountain and if the English translation is correct. After the 30-day period, the board could take another vote at its June 29 meeting before sending its recommendation to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names for the final decision.
The call for the repealing of Harney’s name on South Dakota’s largest peak came from Basil Brave Heart, who filed a petition in September of last year. Brave Heart suggested the name “Black Elk Peak” for consideration, after Lakota teacher and holy man Black Elk.
The Black Elk name was eventually removed from consideration by the state board of geographical names, saying they did not want to risk the possibility of later emerging facts that may disqualify an individual as an appropriate namesake. Other testimonies said it is not customary for the Lakota people to name geographic places for individuals, while board members also noted that the federally designated wilderness area around the peak is already named for Black Elk.
To submit comments to the South Dakota Board of Geographic Names during the 30-day comment period, visit sdbgn.sd.gov.