Ptarmigan Tracks

I have referred to Denali as “Mt. McKinley” only once while living in Alaska – during my job interview with Simon and Jenna Hamm. When they corrected me mid-thought, I was not sure why I had been interrupted. I had been in Alaska for only three days, and had not yet witnessed Alaskans’ preference for the mountain’s original name.

Many natural landmarks in this country have been named for figures of the time. So what made years of persistent dedication to change Mt. McKinley’s name to its original roots worthwhile, or even valid? Perhaps it is the compelling meaning of the name, “Denali.” Native Alaskans named it literally for what it is: “The High One,” or “The Great One.” And yes, there is also the reason that the naming of “Mt. McKinley” in 1896 was happenstance. President McKinley had no historical connection to the highest peak in North America; he never even visited his namesake mountain. 

Denali is not like other natural landmarks. Its meaning has a deeply personal association for many who have gazed upon it. The Athabascan people revere Denali, for its size, splendor, and greatness (Kari, 1987). This mountain is something that should be honored, and the name Denali does just that. Its name represents what this mountain is: awesome.

By executive order from the Secretary of the Interior, North America’s highest mountain was finally “re-renamed” this summer. After over a century of Denali being referred to as something other than it is, the controversy is settled.

Teresa Floberg

photo © Karen Willes