North America’s tallest peak, located in Alaska, has been a point of contention following President Donald Trump's executive order to revert its name to Mount McKinley. The peak, standing at 20,310 feet, is commonly known as Denali, its Alaska Native name, by locals and many Alaskans.
The mountain was initially named after President William McKinley in 1896, despite its original Athabascan tribal name, Denali, meaning 'the high one.' The name was officially changed back to Denali in 2015 by President Barack Obama as a symbolic gesture to Alaska Natives.
Trump's recent order to restore the McKinley name has sparked mixed reactions. While some in Ohio, McKinley's home state, support the change, Alaskans view it as disrespectful to Indigenous peoples and their heritage.
Historical analysis reveals McKinley's controversial legacy as an imperial colonialist, overseeing the expansion of the American empire into various territories.
Alaskans, including Governor Mike Dunleavy and Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, have expressed support for retaining the Denali name. The Alaska Native Heritage Center advocates for preserving Indigenous place names as a form of respect and reconciliation.
Despite the executive order, many Alaskans, like Joe McAneney of Talkeetna, remain steadfast in calling the peak Denali, reflecting a long-standing Alaskan trait of independence and defiance of external influence.
Ultimately, the debate over the mountain's name underscores the complex interplay between history, culture, and identity in Alaska, with Denali holding deep significance for the state's residents and Indigenous communities.
