Chippewa Valley Times

President Donald Trump's executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska's Denali has sparked significant discussion. The process for renaming places in the United States is formal and overseen by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, part of the U.S. Geological Survey.

Trump's order directs the Board on Geographic Names "to honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans" by changing its policies. Typically, a name change begins locally with state or county proposals, which are then submitted to relevant authorities before reaching the national board.

A recent example is Minnesota's Lake Bde Maka Ska, formerly known as Lake Calhoun. The Minneapolis Park Board initiated this change, citing its historical Dakota name. After approval from local and state authorities, it was made official nationwide by the Board on Geographic Names.

Renaming Denali took 40 years due to objections from Ohio congressional members who wanted to retain Mount McKinley in honor of President William McKinley. In 2015, President Barack Obama and Interior Secretary Sally Jewell finalized the change to reflect Alaska Natives' heritage.

Jewell stated, "This name change recognizes the sacred status of Denali to many Alaska Natives." She emphasized that Denali had been used officially in Alaska since 1975 but was also known traditionally for generations.

Renaming international waters like the Gulf of Mexico presents different challenges since only territorial waters are under U.S. jurisdiction. While Trump’s administration can alter names on U.S. maps, there is no global authority for place names; each country decides independently.

The Department of Interior announced on January 24, 2025: "In accordance with President Donald J. Trump’s recent executive order...the Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America and North America’s highest peak will once again bear the name Mount McKinley."

Alaska senators have strongly opposed these changes, particularly regarding Denali's renaming attempt.

If someone objects legally to a name change within U.S. borders, they can seek court intervention as seen with Bde Maka Ska when some residents challenged it unsuccessfully in court.

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