JUNEAU, Alaska — On Friday, the Alaska Legislature passed a resolution urging President Donald Trump to reconsider his stance and keep the name of North America’s highest peak as Denali instead of changing it back to Mount McKinley.
Trump’s executive order, signed on his first day in office, called for the restoration of the name Mount McKinley, which was named after President William McKinley from Ohio, who never visited Alaska.
The President emphasized his intention to honor McKinley, stating that he contributed significantly to the country’s wealth through tariffs and other means.

The resolution received unanimous approval from the state Senate with a 19-0 vote, following a 31-8 vote in the House earlier.
Sponsored by Rep. Maxine Dibert, a Democrat of Koyukon Athabascan heritage, the resolution emphasizes the importance of the name Denali, which means “the high one” in the native language.
Dibert expressed the sentiment that Denali is not just a mountain, but a fundamental aspect of Alaska’s history, representing its rich cultural diversity and the deep connection of its people to the land.

Last month, the Interior Department indicated that steps were being taken to enact Trump’s name change, although state officials believe the issue is still open for discussion.
An Interior Department representative, J. Elizabeth Peace, mentioned that there were no new updates on the matter earlier this week.
Historically, a prospector named the peak Mount McKinley in 1896 to honor McKinley, who was elected that same year.
Despite some objections at that time, the name gained traction and was widely published on maps.

The U.S. government officially recognized the name until 2015, when the Obama administration renamed it Denali, reflecting the longstanding traditions of Alaska Natives and the wishes of many residents.
The majestic mountain, rising to 20,310 feet (6,190 meters) within Denali National Park and Preserve, can be seen from hundreds of miles away on clear days.

“Denali represents the name of our mountain and is of great significance to both Alaska Natives and to people across our state,” stated House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, an independent from Dillingham.
He emphasized that the bipartisan support seen in the legislature clearly indicates that the decision about the mountain’s name should lie with the people of Alaska.