A Mountain By Any Other Name...

 

President Donald J. Trump’s plan to return Denali, the Alaska Native name for North America’s tallest peak, to its earlier name, Mount McKinley, has run into opposition from Alaska lawmakers.

Shortly after taking the oath of office on Monday, Mr. Trump surprised many in the state when he announced “we will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley where it should be and where it belongs.”

But Alaska’s two senators, Lisa Murkowsi and Dan Sullivan, both Republicans, said they wanted to keep Denali National Park and Preserve as is, calling Denali the rightful name of the awe-inspiring white peaks, 20,310 feet above sea level in the home of the Koyukon people and other Alaska Native groups.

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1) Why does President Trump want to make the change?

2) Why are the Alaska's Senators opposed?

3) Who ultimately gets to make the decision?

4) Which name do you prefer?  Why?

5) What geographic landmark (river, ocean, mountain) would you name for yourself? Why?