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Alaska Natives 'happy' with Denali after name change push that began in 1975 Alaska Natives happy with Denali after name change push that began in 1975
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Alaska’s Native peoples have used the highest peak in North America as a landmark for millennia. We have hunted animals, picked berries in its foothills and fished in waterways nearby.Alaska’s Native peoples have used the highest peak in North America as a landmark for millennia. We have hunted animals, picked berries in its foothills and fished in waterways nearby.
At 20,320 feet above sea level, the peak can be seen from hundreds of miles away on a clear day – something that has frustrated tourists on cloudy days – so different Native groups have their own names for the mountain. The Koyukon Athabascans, who live closest to it, called it “Denali,” which means “the great one,” so that has long been the name Alaskans refer to it by. At 20,320 feet above sea level, the peak can be seen from hundreds of miles away on a clear day – something that has frustrated tourists on cloudy days – so different Native groups have their own names for the mountain. The Koyukon Athabascans, who live closest to it, called it “Denali”, which means “the great one”, so that has long been the name Alaskans refer to it by.
Because of the abundant and diverse wildlife near the mountain, Mount McKinley National Park was established in 1917, and thus, the mountain received its official federal name. Denali National Monument was proclaimed by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. In 1980, the park and the monument were combined and renamed Denali National Park and Preserve – the first nod to renaming the mountain.Because of the abundant and diverse wildlife near the mountain, Mount McKinley National Park was established in 1917, and thus, the mountain received its official federal name. Denali National Monument was proclaimed by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. In 1980, the park and the monument were combined and renamed Denali National Park and Preserve – the first nod to renaming the mountain.
The Alaska Legislature first officially requested the federal government change the name back to Denali in 1975. Alaskans – both Native and non-Native, from laypeople to members of our Congressional Delegation – have pushed for this change for decades. It is also very fitting for Alaskans to choose the names of our landmarks. The Alaska legislature first officially requested the federal government change the name back to Denali in 1975. Alaskans – both Native and non-Native, from laypeople to members of our congressional delegation – have pushed for this change for decades. It is also very fitting for Alaskans to choose the names of our landmarks.
We are happy that Denali will now officially be known by the Koyukon Athabascan name that it has held for centuries. Using traditional place names is one more way to celebrate and perpetuate our Alaska Native cultures.We are happy that Denali will now officially be known by the Koyukon Athabascan name that it has held for centuries. Using traditional place names is one more way to celebrate and perpetuate our Alaska Native cultures.
Alaska is a vast state with a small population. Rural residents, a high percentage of whom are Alaska Natives, still largely use the traditional names for landmarks in their areas. To that end, the Alaska Native Place Names project was initiated in 2011 and is housed at the Alaska Native Language Archive of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The Archive serves as a central repository for place name data, and they are working with language experts across Alaska to confirm the names. They have already seen success in getting official recognition for traditional place names. Alaska is a vast state with a small population. Rural residents, a high percentage of whom are Alaska Natives, still largely use the traditional names for landmarks in their areas. To that end, the Alaska Native Place Names project was initiated in 2011 and is housed at the Alaska Native Language Archive of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The archive serves as a central repository for place name data, and they are working with language experts across Alaska to confirm the names. They have already seen success in getting official recognition for traditional place names.
We thank President Obama for this timely announcement as we continue to welcome him to Alaska.We thank President Obama for this timely announcement as we continue to welcome him to Alaska.
Julie Kitka is the President of the Alaska Federation of Natives, the largest statewide Native organization in Alaska. Its membership includes 165 federally recognized tribes, 146 village corporations, 12 regional corporations, and 12 regional nonprofit and tribal consortiums that contract and compact to run federal and state programs. Julie Kitka is the president of the Alaska Federation of Natives, the largest statewide Native organization in Alaska. Its membership includes 165 federally recognized tribes, 146 village corporations, 12 regional corporations, and 12 regional nonprofit and tribal consortiums that contract and compact to run federal and state programs.