ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The towering presence of Denali, North America’s highest mountain, plays a significant role in the life of Jeff King, a celebrated four-time champion of the 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. King operates his dog kennel and tourism business just eight miles from the entrance of Denali National Park and Preserve, where the majestic peak, standing at 20,310 feet, provides a dramatic backdrop as he trains his dogs on the trails in the area.
Locals like King express strong sentiments regarding the mountain’s name, asserting that most Alaskans will continue to refer to it as Denali, its original Alaska Native name. This sentiment persists even in light of an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump, which sought to rename it Mount McKinley—a designation given after a prospector emerged from the wilderness in 1896 and did not reflect the mountain’s historical significance to the Indigenous tribes of the region.
“Everyone I know is vocal about preferring Denali. The name honors the Indigenous communities tied to the land for millennia,” expressively noted King. In fact, the name Denali translates to “the high one” and was rooted in the practices of the Athabascan tribal members, who have inhabited the area for centuries. The mountain was named after President McKinley at a time when the local Indigenous name lacked recognition.
This naming controversy has deep historical roots, as the name McKinley was widely challenged shortly after its introduction. It wasn’t until 2015 that the name was officially changed back to Denali by the Obama administration during a visit meant to acknowledge Indigenous rights and climate change. Trump’s administration later sought to revert it back, claiming to honor President McKinley’s contributions, asserting that he was instrumental in making the nation prosperous.
The move sparked approval in McKinley’s home state of Ohio. For instance, former Congressman Bob Gibbs expressed his satisfaction with Trump’s decision, indicating that McKinley deserved recognition as a significant president. However, the response from Alaskans has been overwhelmingly negative, with many arguing that McKinley represents an imperialistic past not aligned with the state’s history or the values of its residents.
Steve Haycox, a history professor emeritus at the University of Alaska Anchorage, criticized the move, pointing out that commemorating McKinley overlooks the colonial history associated with his presidency, characterized by the expansion of U.S. territories at the expense of Indigenous populations. Haycox referred to Trump’s efforts to restore the McKinley name as an insult to the people of Alaska, particularly the Native communities.
Opinions regarding the renaming varied, with some residents like John Wayne Howe expressing weariness over name changes in general. He believes that honoring historical figures can lead to confusion as societal values shift over time. Howe prefers the name Denali due to its historical significance and the preference shown by most Alaskans.
Recent developments in the Alaska Legislature include introducing two resolutions aimed at maintaining the name Denali. Governor Mike Dunleavy, a Trump supporter, hopes to discuss the name’s significance with the former president soon. However, notable political figures like former Governor Sarah Palin have stated their support for McKinley’s name, claiming that its removal was unwarranted and lacking wide public support.
The ongoing name debate illustrates a broader divide in opinions among Alaskans. Both U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan favor Denali, while newly elected U.S. Representative Nick Begich appeared detached from the controversy, focusing instead on economic issues for the state.
The Alaska Native Heritage Center promotes the preservation of Indigenous place names, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the deep-rooted connections that Indigenous peoples have maintained over generations.
In the quirky town of Talkeetna, known for its quirky charm and as a hub for climbers preparing to ascend Denali, local residents like Joe McAneney are well aware of the tourism implications of the name debate. He, along with many others in Alaska, believes the mountain will always be regarded as Denali, regardless of governmental decisions.
“The only people who will follow that name change are those who would have called it McKinley anyway. Here in Alaska, we have a tradition of disregarding what outside influences dictate,” McAneney observed, reinforcing the notion that Alaskans will likely continue to honor the name Denali.
For Jeff King, Trump’s comments regarding the renaming of the mountain evoke a sense of disrespect toward the historical and cultural significance that Denali holds for Alaska and its people. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Trump wanted to name it Trump Mountain next,” he quipped.
