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Senator Murkowski Pushes to Restore Mountain’s Historic Name to Denali
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has introduced a new bill to officially recognize North America’s highest peak as Denali, the name it has held for generations among Alaska Natives. This move comes in response to an executive order signed by President Trump on his first day in office, which reinstated the name Mount McKinley after the mountain had been renamed Denali in 2015 under the Obama administration.
The legislation, co-sponsored by fellow Alaskan Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), would ensure that all official references—such as federal laws, maps, and government records—use the name Denali going forward.
“In Alaska, it’s always been Denali,” Murkowski emphasized. “When you stand before it, take in its immense size, and breathe in the crisp mountain air, you begin to understand why the Koyukon Athabascan people have always called it ‘The Great One.’”
Murkowski has introduced similar legislation multiple times before, insisting that this is not a political debate but rather a matter of respect and historical accuracy.
“For years, Alaskans from all backgrounds have pushed to have this mountain recognized by its original and rightful name,” she said. “That’s why I’m once again putting forth legislation to ensure it remains Denali.”
The name change to Denali was made official in 2015 by the Department of the Interior, following decades of advocacy from Alaskans and Native groups. However, President Trump later reversed the decision, restoring the Mount McKinley name in an executive order titled Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness.
This ongoing debate highlights a larger conversation about preserving cultural history versus honoring historical figures. While McKinley was a U.S. president from Ohio, he had no direct connection to the mountain or Alaska itself. For the people of Alaska, Denali has always been more than just a name—it’s a symbol of heritage, identity, and the natural grandeur of the state.