The renaming of Mount McKinley to Denali in 2015 was the culmination of a long-standing debate over the name of North America’s tallest mountain. The decision involved decades of discussion, legislative efforts, and ultimately executive action by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Here is a chronological account of the events leading up to the name change and its aftermath.
The Historical Names
The mountain, standing at 20,310 feet in Alaska, was originally called Denali by the indigenous Koyukon Athabaskan people, meaning “The High One” or “The Tall One.” This name has been used for centuries in indigenous oral histories.
In 1896, during the gold rush, a prospector named the mountain “Mount McKinley” after William McKinley, an Ohioan who was running for president. McKinley later became the 25th President of the United States, although he never visited Alaska. The name was made official in 1917 by an act of Congress.
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Efforts to Restore the Name Denali
Efforts to restore the name Denali began in the mid-20th century, led by Alaskan residents and lawmakers. Proponents argued that the name Denali better reflected the mountain’s cultural and historical significance to Alaska and its indigenous people.
Since 1975, the Alaska Board of Geographic Names recognized the peak as Denali. However, federal recognition remained under the name Mount McKinley due to opposition, particularly from Ohio politicians who wanted to preserve the association with President McKinley.
The U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which oversees place names in the United States, deferred taking action on the matter due to the conflict between Alaskan and Ohioan interests. This stalemate lasted for decades, leaving the mountain with dual identities.
The 2015 Renaming
In 2015, the Obama administration took executive action to officially rename the mountain Denali. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell used her authority under the 1947 Federal Land Policy and Management Act to make the change, bypassing Congress. This act allows the Secretary of the Interior to address naming issues when the U.S. Board on Geographic Names has not acted due to a dispute.
The announcement was made shortly before President Barack Obama’s visit to Alaska, where he highlighted the impacts of climate change and Alaska’s cultural heritage. The decision to rename the mountain was framed as a recognition of the longstanding name used by Alaska Natives.
Public and Political Reactions
The renaming received mixed reactions. In Alaska, many residents and Native groups welcomed the decision as an acknowledgment of their cultural history. In Ohio, some politicians criticized the move, arguing it disregarded the legacy of President McKinley and bypassed legislative processes.
The Release of Documents