Bill > HJR4

This resolution urges the maintenance of Denali as the official name for North America's tallest mountain, emphasizing its cultural and historical significance. The resolution highlights that Denali, which means "the high one" in the Koyukon Athabaskan language, has deep roots in Alaska's history, with Athabaskan people having lived in the region for over 10,000 years. It recalls that the mountain was officially named Denali by the state in 1975 and by the federal government in 2015, and notes the importance of recognizing Indigenous place names and cultural heritage. The resolution specifically calls on the President of the United States, the Secretary of the Interior, and the United States Board on Geographic Names to keep the mountain's name as Denali, and asks Alaska's congressional delegation to advocate for preserving this name. The document underscores the widespread support for the name among Alaskans of all backgrounds and emphasizes the potential confusion and negative tourism impact that could result from renaming the mountain, while also celebrating the rich linguistic and cultural legacy of Alaska Native peoples.

Government Affairs

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=HJR4