Alaska politicians are pushing back against President Donald Trump’s proposal to rename Denali, the tallest mountain in the US, back to Mount McKinley. This move has sparked a heated debate. Trump’s order has been met with resistance from many Alaskans.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy plans to discuss the issue with Trump. He wants to understand the motivation behind the proposed name change. Dunleavy’s wife and daughters are Alaska Native. He wants to emphasize the significance of the name Denali to the Nation’s community.
The mountain was originally named Denali by the Koyukon Athabascan people. It means high or tall. In 2015, President Barack Obama officially changed the name from Mount McKinley to Denali. It was after decades of requests from Alaska leaders.
Alaska’s two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, have expressed their preference to keep the name Denali. Murkowski strongly disagreed with Trump’s order. Sullivan preferred to keep the name given by the Anthabascan people.
US Representative Nick Begich has not taken a public stance on the issue. However, two Alaska House members have introduced resolutions urging Trump to maintain the name Denali.
The proposed name change has been met with resistance. Many Alaskans see it as an attempt to erase the state’s cultural heritage. The Denali name-change debate continues.
Alaska politicians are fighting to preserve the mountain’s cultural significance. The controversy highlights respecting and preserving Native American culture and heritage. Ultimately, the decision on the name change will depend on the outcome of the ongoing debate and the actions of policymakers.
The Denali name change continues, with no clear resolution in sight, and its outcome will have significant implications for the cultural heritage of Alaska and the Native American community.
News story originally published by Anchorage Daily News,
