Yosemite names belong to Miwoks
While there is much consternation about who owns the word “Ahwahnee” and other labels for various parts of Yosemite Valley, no mention is made that the name Ahwahnee doesn’t belong to Aramark, Delaware North or the National Park Service.
The name was appropriated from the original residents of Yosemite Valley, the Miwok. Maybe the $51 million should be paid to the descendants of Chief Tenaya and other Miwok tribal members. While we are at it, maybe some compensation for “Yosemite” and “Tenaya” would also be in order.
George Burman, Fresno
This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 5:55 AM with the headline "Yosemite names belong to Miwoks."