Mount McKinley returned to it’s rightful native Alaskan name, Denali
This past Sunday, September 6, President Obama used his executive power to restore the mountain’s name to it’s original, and one of deep cultural significance to Native Alaskans.
The original name of Denali means “the high one” or “the great one” to the Native population, the Koyukok Athabascans, a group that live in Alaska for thousands of years. The name McKinley was given to the 20,310 foot high peak in 1896 and remained the official name for more than a century.
The mountain was named after President William McKinley, who was born in the state of Ohio. The naming of McKinley caused a rift between electorally significant state of Ohio and Alaska, which was named to show support for the President of that time. McKinley has never even been to Alaska. He was assassinated in 1901.
The naming of the peak McKinley has been seen as an example of cultural imperialism in which a Native American name with historical roots was replaced by an American one having no connection with the place.
The mountain was called McKinley until 1975, when the Alaska Board of Geographic Names changed it’s name, and it was referred to as Denali by locals. In an awkward period, the park surrounding the peak was called Denali National Park and Preserve, while the mountain was officially called Mount McKinley. The last official act was changing it to Denali on the federal level, by the Department of the Interior.
The mountain was also remeasured by the US Geological Survey, and was found to be 10 feet (3 meters) shorter than previously published.
It’s great to hear the original name was restored. We attempted a climb on Denali in 2006, and have always referred to it by that name. It’s great to know that it’s restoration to the official name is finally fully complete!
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