Mount Denali: A Sacred Name Rightfully Restored

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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, 2015

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, 2015

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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, 2015

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, 2015

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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, 2015

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

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TIME.com (@TIME) August 30, 2015

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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, 2015

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

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AK Dining & Travel (@AKCuisine) August 30, 2015

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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, 2015

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, 2015

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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, 2015

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, 2015

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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, 2015

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

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Joelle Gamble (@joelle_gamble) August 30, 2015

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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, 2015

On Interviewing President Obama

Full interview here

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A Special Tweet Of The Day

A boy just ran up to the live truck and said "Can you report my smile?" Yes, we can Cameron @FOX29philly http://t.co/ddkwTg98SC

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Dave Eitzen (@DaveEitzen) August 26, 2015

The Week Ahead

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Monday

The President will travel to Anchorage, Alaska. While there, he will participate in a roundtable with Alaska Natives and address the Global Leadership in the Arctic: Cooperation, Innovation, Engagement and Resilience (GLACIER) Conference.

GLACIER will convene foreign ministers from Arctic nations and key non-Arctic states with scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders from Alaska and the Arctic region to discuss how climate change is reshaping the Arctic, increase global awareness of how Arctic climate change is affecting the rest of the world, and identify individual and collective actions to address these challenges.

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Tuesday

The President will travel to the Seward area, where he will hike to Exit Glacier, participate in a boat tour of Kenai Fjords National Park and have the opportunity to view the effects of climate change firsthand.

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Wednesday

The President will travel to Dillingham, Alaska, where he will meet with local fisherman and families. He will then travel to Kotzebue, Alaska, where he will deliver remarks. In the evening, he will depart Alaska en route Washington, DC.

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Thursday

The President will attend meetings at the White House.

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Friday

The President will host King Salman bin Abd alAziz of Saudi Arabia at the White House.

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Early Bird Rise and Shine

On This Day – Pete Souza: “Seemingly trying to catch a look, Bo, the Obama family dog, sits outside the Oval Office as the President and First Lady participated in a promotion ceremony.” Aug. 30, 2013

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MoooOOOooorning!