The Franklin Town Council voted 5-1 on Sept. 19 to approve new signage at the Nikwasi Mound.
The Nikwasi Initiative first brought the proposed wording for a sign to the council at the August meeting saying the purpose was to help control erosion of the mound and to honor the Cherokee customs and traditions.
“Erosion is the primary enemy down there,” said Bob McCollum, chair of the Nikwasi Initiative when talking about asking people not to walk on the mound.
However, there were concerns about maintaining public access to the mound, as required by the agreement when the town deeded over the mound in 2019. The discussion continued at the Sept. 3 Town Council meeting, but more changes were requested, and it was suggested that the signs be more educational rather than restrictive.
Council member David Culpepper said at the Sept. 3 meeting he was concerned about making rules that are not enforceable, and that the wording on the sign should reflect the intent of the deed and the agreement between the town and the Nikwasi Initiative in maintaining public access.
“I think it’s a little disingenuous of the Nikwasi board to come in here and say it’s a problem when it hasn’t been a problem,” Culpepper said adding that he felt like it was “a backdoor way of removing public access and I’m not for that.”
McCollum said the reason they brought it up is not so much what is happening locally but what they see happening at other historical sites around the country, “disrespectful acts, vandalism.”
Nikwasi Initiative executive director Elaine Eisenbraun said people would still have access to the base of the mound and could interact with it there, but they want to encourage people to not climb up the mound. “What do people gain by being on top versus by learning at the base?” she asked.
Culpepper replied, “inspiration,” saying that he climbed to the top of the mound the day he voted to give it from the town to the Nikwasi Initiative. “I went there for inspiration and to communicate with nature because the mound is sacred to me, and I’m not Cherokee.”
Following the Sept. 3 meeting, town attorney John Henning worked with input from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Historic Preservation Office, the town, and the Nikwasi Initiative executive committee to draft a new version of the wordage for the sign. Culpepper cast the dissenting vote at a special called meeting on Sept. 19.
Culpepper took issue with the last line which states “according to traditional Cherokee beliefs, it is inappropriate or disrespectful to walk on the mound.”
“It doesn’t prohibit people from going on the mound, but I’m not certain that it’s 100% factual,” Culpepper said. “I mean, that depends. I mean, not every action is the same, so it’s not 100% accurate, but I can live with it. It’s not always inappropriate or disrespectful to walk on the mound.”
The sign will read as follows:
Noquisiyi Mound
“Star Place Mound”
The Mound stands in testament to the common Cherokee heritage at this site.
You are visiting a unique and special site.
Please be mindful of the following:
~It is Cherokee tradition to walk around the base of the Mound in a counterclockwise direction.
~Photography during ceremonial events is discouraged, unless participants consent.
~Taking care of the Mound is up to all of us – Please remove any litter as you leave.
~Walking up and on top of the Mound contributes to erosion.
~According to traditional Cherokee beliefs, it is inappropriate or disrespectful to walk on the Mound.
Please help us preserve the Mound for future generations!