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Alaskans Stick to Denali, Despite Trump's Name Change

Alaska, USASunday, January 26, 2025

Jeff King, a four-time Iditarod champ, lives in the shadow of North America's tallest peak, Denali. He and many Alaskans are upset that President Trump wants to change the mountain's name back to Mount McKinley. The peak's original name, Denali, is sacred to the Athabascan tribe. They've lived in the region for centuries. In 1896, a prospector named the mountain after President William McKinley. But maps were already printed, so the name stuck until 2015 when President Obama changed it to Denali.

Trump's recent order sparked debate. Some Ohioans praised the change, but Alaskans see it differently. They argue that McKinley's history is tied to colonialism. Trump's order may change official records, but locals won't call it anything but Denali. Even lawmakers are trying to keep the name. It's a story of culture, history, and the power of local identity.

mount mckinley north america president obama president william mckinley jeff king

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