Dear Editor: In 2015, Mount Denali was reconnected to its ancient and historic ties through the name that Athabascan Natives have referred to the mountain as, for hundreds of years. President Trump stands to change the name back to a man who may have accomplished great things but never even touched the behemoth of a mountain. The name Denali itself means “The tall one” and represents the Indigenous groups in the region. With this said, and President McKinley’s accomplishments in mind, I believe changing the name to Mount McKinley is unnecessary, and it should remain under title of Mount Denali.
Advocates for the name change say changing the name from Mckinley in the first place was disrespectful to everything he did for this nation, but an argument can be made that changing the name away from Denali was, and is, just as disrespectful, especially to the Native inhabitants of the region of Interior Alaska. In addition, the Alaskan government, like Senators Sullivan and Murkowski, oppose Trump’s decision. Also, Denali was the original name of the mountain which accurately describes it and honors the original inhabitants of the area.
Overall, changing the name of Mount Denali to McKinley is unnecessary and disrespectful to the Native groups in interior Alaska as they have lived there with their own titles for wonderful monuments for hundreds of years, unbothered by American accomplishments, especially the accomplishments of somebody who never stepped foot on the mountain.
Cooper Wyman, Sitka
