Topline
Title: Renaming Denali to Mount McKinley: A Fresh Look
On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order, renaming Denali—North America's highest peak—to Mount McKinley, reversing a 2015 name change initiated by former President Barack Obama. The decision, which Trump had previously hinted at, has sparked controversy, as Alaskan lawmakers and native communities do not support the name change.
Key Facts
Trump issued the order shortly after his swearing-in ceremony, stating, "We will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley where it should be and where it belongs." Despite the name change, Denali National Park and Preserve, which encompasses the mountain, will keep its original name.
The peak had officially been called Mount McKinley since 1917, but the Koyukon Athabascan people, who reside near the mountain, referred to it as Denali, meaning "the Great One." It was named Mount McKinley in 1896 by prospector William Dickey, who chose the name to honor presidential candidate William McKinley.
Charles Sheldon, who spoke out against mountaineering activities in the area before it became a national park, suggested in 1916 that the mountain be named "Mt Denali National Park" to preserve the native name. However, when the area was officially designated a national park in 1917, it was named Mount McKinley National Park, which was seen as inconsistent with Athabascan naming practices.
In 1980, Alaska's National Interest Lands Conservation Act changed the park's name to Denali National Park and Preserve, despite previous attempts to rename it Denali in 1975. Obama officially restored the mountain's name to Denali in 2015, marking a stance to build stronger relationships with Native American tribes.
McKinley, who never visited the mountain, did not have significant historical ties to the area. The resolution that ultimately reverted the mountain's name highlights this fact.
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Trump's Gulf of Mexico Rename
The same executive order also deemed the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, a move that Trump has frequently discussed in recent weeks. In early January, Trump announced plans to change the Gulf's name in retaliation for immigration from Mexico.
What to Watch For
Trump has ordered the Geographic Names Information System to update its catalog within 30 days to reflect the name changes.
Chief Opponents
Alaska's two senators, both Republicans, have opposed renaming Denali as Mount McKinley for months.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski tweeted, "I strongly disagree with the President's decision on Denali. Our nation's tallest mountain, which has been called Denali for thousands of years, must continue to be known by the rightful name bestowed by Alaska's Koyukon Athabascans, who have stewarded the land since time immemorial."
Sen. Dan Sullivan has also spoken out against the name change, expressing his preference for the native name.
Why Trump Supports McKinley
Trump has praised McKinley in the past due to the tariffs he implemented. As a representative, McKinley introduced the McKinley Tariff in 1890, which significantly increased taxes on foreign products. Trump has expressed a desire to increase tariffs as well, advocating for universal tariffs and higher levies on products from China, Canada, and Mexico.
News Peg
Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president on Monday afternoon, pledging immigration policies, an end to the “unfair weaponization of our Justice Department,” and other points regarding his campaign platform. Read live updates of the inauguration here.
Further Reading
Enrichment Data:
The renaming of Denali to Mount McKinley and then back to Denali showcases the intricate relationships between cultural, political, and historical factors.
Historical Background:
- Original Naming:
- The mountain was initially named "Mount McKinley" by gold prospector William Dickey in 1896 in honor of then-presidential candidate William McKinley.
- Official Recognition:
- The name was officially adopted by the federal government in 1917 following "An Act to establish the Mount McKinley National Park in the territory of Alaska" (Public Act No. 353).
- Native American Name:
- Koyukon Athabascan people have referred to the mountain as Denali, the Athabascan name for "the Great One," for centuries.
Renaming to Denali:
- Alaska State Board Action:
- In 1975, the Alaska State Board on Geographic Names changed the name of the mountain to Denali, and the Alaska Legislature requested the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN) to make the change.
- Federal Opposition:
- Opposition from Ohio congressman Ralph Regula and Secretary of the Interior Rogers Morton delayed the name change, as they opposed the request.
- 2015 Name Change:
- In 2015, the mountain was officially renamed Denali through an executive order from President Obama in response to growing support from Alaska and Native American communities.
Reverting to Mount McKinley:
- Trump's Proposal:
- Upon his election, President-elect Donald Trump expressed his intention to reverse the mountain's name change to honor American greatness and William McKinley’s history with tariffs.
- Executive Order:
- In 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Secretary of the Interior to revert the mountain's name to Mount McKinley within 30 days, a decision that has sparked controversy.
Significance:
- Cultural Significance:
- The name change represents a broader cultural debate over how to honor historical figures while respecting indigenous names. The Alaskan native community holdsoutsignificance towards the name Denali, which holds deep cultural meaning.
- Political Significance:
- The renaming and re-renaming have been highly politicized, with opposition and support emerging from various states.
- Federal vs. State Authority:
- The controversy has highlighted the complex tension between federal and state authority in naming geographic features. In this case, the federal government's ability to override state requests has been a point of contention.
The business of renaming Mount McKinley to Denali, initially proposed by Charles Sheldon in 1916, has been a contentious issue in American politics, involving debates between federal and state authorities and discussions around cultural sensitivity.
With the execution of his recent executive order, President Trump has shifted the business landscape once again by renaming Denali back to Mount McKinley, a decision that has sparked strong opposition from Alaskan senators and native communities who advocate for preserving the native name.
