Following President Donald Trump's decision to change the name of the tallest mountain in North America to Mount McKinley, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski has reintroduced a measure to designate the mountain as Denali. Senator Dan Sullivan is the original cosponsor of the measure.
In a press release, Senator Murkowski emphasized the significance of the name Denali in Alaska, stating that it reflects the mountain's majestic size and the reverence it holds among the Koyukon Athabascans, who refer to it as 'The Great One.'
The controversy over the mountain's name dates back to 1917 when it was officially named Mount McKinley in honor of President William McKinley. However, in 2015, during President Barack Obama's administration, the name was changed back to Denali by Interior Secretary Sally Jewell.
President Trump, on his first day in office, issued an executive order to reinstate the name 'Mount McKinley,' citing it as a tribute to President McKinley's life and achievements. The order also directed the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
Senator Murkowski has been actively involved in advocating for the mountain to be recognized as Denali for over a decade. She has introduced measures regarding the mountain's name multiple times, with Senator Sullivan supporting her efforts.
During a meeting with President Trump, Senator Sullivan, whose wife is Athabascan, expressed opposition to changing the name back to Mount McKinley, highlighting the significance of the name Denali to the local community.
Despite the ongoing debate and political differences, the essence of the issue lies in honoring the cultural heritage and significance of the mountain to the people of Alaska.
