Alaska’s legislature stands firm against President Trump’s initiative to rename Denali, urging him to reconsider his decision.
At a Glance
- Alaska Legislature passed a resolution to keep the name Denali for North America’s tallest peak
- Trump signed an Executive Order to revert the name to Mount McKinley
- The state Senate voted 19-0, and the House passed the measure 31-8 in favor of Denali
- Denali holds significant cultural importance for Alaska Natives
- The decision to rename has faced opposition from Alaskans, with a poll showing two-to-one opposition
Alaska Legislature Pushes Back Against Trump’s Renaming Initiative
The Alaska Legislature has passed a resolution urging President Trump to retain the name Denali for North America’s tallest peak, rather than changing it back to Mount McKinley. The decision comes in response to Trump’s Executive Order, signed on his first day in office, to revert the mountain’s name to honor former President William McKinley.
The resolution, which passed with overwhelming support in both chambers of the state legislature, underscores the deep-rooted significance of the name Denali to Alaskans, particularly the indigenous communities. The State Senate voted unanimously 19-0 in favor of keeping the name Denali, while the House passed the measure with a 31-8 vote.
Rep. Maxine Dibert, a Democrat and Koyukon Athabascan, whose tribe originally named the mountain Denali, sponsored the resolution. The name Denali holds profound cultural and historical importance for Alaska Natives, representing centuries of tradition and reverence for the land.
“Denali is more than a mountain,” Dibert of Fairbanks said in a news release. “It’s a cornerstone of Alaska’s history, a tribute to our diverse culture and a testament to the people who have cherished this land for millennia.”
The mountain was initially named Mount McKinley by a prospector in 1896, and the U.S. government formally recognized this name until 2015. The Obama administration then changed it to Denali, aligning with the preferences of many Alaskans and Alaska Natives who had long used this name.
Trump’s Rationale and Alaskan Opposition
President Trump’s decision to rename the peak after President William McKinley was based on his view of McKinley’s economic contributions. However, this move has been met with significant opposition in Alaska.
A poll showed that Alaskans opposed the name change by a two-to-one margin. This widespread disagreement with the President’s decision highlights the disconnect between federal policy and local sentiment on this issue.
The strong bipartisan support for retaining the name Denali in the Alaska Legislature reflects the unity of Alaskans on this issue – but doesn’t reflect the wishes or views of people elsewhere in the United States. Or the president, for that matter.
The resolution, which passed with a final vote of 50 to 8, will be sent to President Trump and relevant federal bodies.
The question now is whether Trump will change his mind or not.
