The ongoing debate regarding the name of North America's tallest mountain has re-emerged in Congress, highlighting a historical conflict that spans over a century. In January, President Donald Trump issued an executive order reinstating the name "Mount McKinley" for the peak in Alaska, reversing the designation of "Denali" that had been recognized during the Obama administration, a change advocated by Indigenous groups and Alaskans since the 1970s.

Following Trump's order, Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced a bill to revert the name back to Denali. This bill has recently progressed through a subcommittee in Congress. Murkowski emphasized the long-standing use of the name Denali by the Koyukon Athabascan people, stating, "We have called this mountain Denali in Alaska for decades, generations."

The name Denali, which translates to "the high one" or "the great one" in Athabascan, has been a point of contention since explorers and prospectors began naming the peak in the 19th century. The mountain was named after President William McKinley in 1896, despite McKinley never having visited Alaska. The name gained popularity following McKinley's assassination in 1901.

In 1980, Congress renamed the national park surrounding the mountain to Denali National Park and Preserve, but the mountain itself retained the name Mount McKinley until 2015, when the Obama administration officially restored its Indigenous name. Trump's recent action has reignited discussions about the mountain's identity and the implications of naming it after a president who had no direct connection to the region.

Murkowski's bill aims to honor the original stewards of the land, reflecting a broader movement towards recognizing Indigenous rights and heritage. Athan Manuel, director of the Sierra Club’s Lands Protection Program, criticized Trump's executive order as a regression in the acknowledgment of Indigenous names and rights. He noted that the renaming of the mountain to Denali was a significant step towards respecting Indigenous contributions to American history.

The future of the bill remains uncertain, as it may be included in larger legislative packages. The National Park Service has not provided updates on any changes to signage or interpretive practices regarding the mountain since the executive order was issued. Regardless of political decisions, the local population continues to refer to the mountain as Denali, underscoring its cultural significance in Alaska.