Alaska House resolution urges Trump administration to retain Denali name for peak

The Alaska House of Representatives has delivered a firm response to President Donald Trump’s recent decision to rename North America’s highest peak, advocating for the preservation of the name Denali.

The resolution, introduced by Representative Maxine Dibert (D-Fairbanks), underscores Denali’s profound cultural and historical significance to the state of Alaska, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

“Denali is more than a mountain. It's a cornerstone of Alaska's history, a tribute to our diverse culture and a testament to the people who have cherished this land for millennia,” Dibert, who is Koyukon Athabascan, stated during the debate.

“If the federal government moves to change the name, it is an affront to our state sovereignty. To officially change the name would not only dishonor those who have fought to protect the name Denali … but also dismiss the voices of the Native communities whose roots are intertwined with this land.”

The name Denali, derived from a Koyukon Athabascan word meaning “high” or “tall,” was adopted by the state of Alaska in 1975. However, the peak remained known as Mount McKinley on federal maps until 2015, when the Obama administration officially recognized the Indigenous name.

Trump’s executive order, signed on his first day in office, sought to revert the peak’s name back to Mount McKinley. The Interior Department began implementing the change on January 24, although Denali remained listed in a federal place names database on January 27.

House Joint Resolution 4, which passed with a 28-10 vote, urges President Trump to maintain Denali as the peak’s official name in federal databases. Minority Republicans opposed the measure, proposing an amendment that would express gratitude toward Trump for his rollback of Biden-era policies restricting development in Alaska.

Governor Mike Dunleavy, a Republican ally of Trump, did not provide a clear stance on the renaming decision.

Some lawmakers proposed adopting a more conciliatory approach with the president, highlighting the importance of maintaining positive relations. Rep. Mike Prax (R-North Pole) expressed concern that the resolution might focus too much on the negative aspects of the issue.

House Majority Leader Chuck Kopp (R-Anchorage) emphasized the importance of sending a clear message with the resolution, rejecting any dilution of the stance on Denali’s name.

After the final vote, McCabe moved to allow lawmakers to reconsider their votes before the resolution heads to the Senate. A final vote in the House is expected on January 29.

By Vafa Guliyeva