The Obama Diary

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Julie Hirschfeld Davis: Mount McKinley Will Again Be Called Denali

President Obama announced on Sunday that Mount McKinley was being renamed Denali, restoring an Alaska Native name with deep cultural significance to the tallest mountain in North America. The move came on the eve of Mr. Obama’s trip to Alaska, where he will spend three days promoting aggressive action to combat climate change, and is part of a series of steps meant to address the concerns of Alaska Native tribes. The central Alaska mountain has been called Mount McKinley for more than a century. In announcing that Sally Jewell, the secretary of the interior, had used her power to rename it,

Mr. Obama was paying tribute to the state’s Native population, which has referred to the site for generations as Denali, meaning “the high one” or “the great one.” The peak, at more than 20,000 feet, plays a central role in the creation story of the Koyukon Athabascans, a group that has lived in Alaska for thousands of years. The White House also announced on Sunday that Mr. Obama was expanding government support for programs to allow Alaska Natives to be more involved in developing their own natural resources, including an initiative to include them in the management of Chinook salmon fisheries, a youth exchange council focusing on promoting “an Arctic way of life,” and a program allowing them to serve as advisers to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

More here

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Denali is something that is a part of my daily life (and most days, view). I could not be more pleased to have our President acknowledge it.

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Diane Witt (@dianewitt) August 30, 2025

Generations of Alaskans, Alaska Natives hold Denali sacred. Time to honor its original name.SJ on.doi.gov/1KVKg5s http://t.co/mS3kFiLoST

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Sally Jewell (@SecretaryJewell) August 30, 2025

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Mount McKinley, America's highest mountain, to be restored to original name Denali tgr.ph/1hNfpBa http://t.co/DheMdFm42z

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Telegraph News (@TelegraphNews) August 30, 2025

Those of you who think President Obama hasn’t enacted enough progressive policy should read right-wing reactions to Denali on Twitter.

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Justin Reedy (@justinsreedy) August 30, 2025

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Obama to rename nation’s highest mountain: hill.cm/ucqqmoB http://t.co/poXGtDMo9Q

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The Hill (@thehill) August 30, 2025

President Obama renames Mount McKinley 'Denali' ti.me/1Vpm0Qt

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TIME.com (@TIME) August 30, 2025

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@TIME correction: Denali was and is the Mountains name, the US Gov just tried to whitewash it with an ex presidents namesake l...

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Derek Brett Swor (@AnotherFlower) August 30, 2025

A name change that's been long overdue. #Denali @DenaliNPS twitter.com/Interior/statu…

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AK Dining & Travel (@AKCuisine) August 30, 2025

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Alaskans are thrilled to have their mountain's name restored. #Denali twitter.com/robdelaney/sta…

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slc (@Syndeess) August 30, 2025

Wonderful news, on the eve of President Obama's trip to Alaska, @Interior announces Denali rename: adn.com/article/201508…

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Sydney Kaufman (@SydneyHKaufman) August 30, 2025

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Mt McKinley isn't being "renamed" Denali... it is Denali. It's always been Denali. Locals, natives, climbers-- Denali. Good fix today.

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Shelby Edwards (@STEWest) August 30, 2025

Mt. Denali will be renamed because that is the name given by native Alaskan's. So it is actually going back to original name.

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Middleclass Moderate (@midclassmoderat) August 30, 2025

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Respecting Alaska Natives: Obama To Rename Mount Mickinley As Mount Denali huff.to/1Fa5xqa

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Crystal EchoHawk (@CrystalEchoHawk) August 30, 2025

Denali is a much cooler name anyway mobile.nytimes.com/2015/08/31/us/…

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Joelle Gamble (@joelle_gamble) August 30, 2025

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#Denali restored to its original/cultural name. Thank you, @POTUS ! nyti.ms/1JFsIK2

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Susan Pesznecker (@SuePesznecker) August 30, 2025