[backcountry]

I'm OK with renaming. Why?

Mount McKinley. Named after William Mckinley in 1896 by a gold prospector. What's wrong with this name? Well, it already had a name that had been used for centuries prior to white man showing up and giving "names" to everything. Denali is the name used by indigenous people for centuries. It means "the great one". A name very deserving of the mountain itself. I'm sure it was a great honor for William Mckinley, and maybe even the U.S., to name the mountain for him -- but Denal is far more grand and descriptive than Mckinley. It certainly has more meaning for those indigenous and non-indigenous people that have lived in the shadow this awe inspiring mountain.

If we have geographic points of interest that had names prior to whites showing up, then I'm fine with evaluating, and using the original Native American name if it is appropriate. Like Denali. I'll support those changes. I'm fine with working with Native Americans, and embracing their history and culture. If they came out and said they wanted to change the Grand Canyon to Ongtupqa, I'd support that change.

What does Kyhv mean? I have no idea. Maybe as some have eluded, it is a proper name that has no meaning at all, but rather honors a person from history? It would be nice to know.

I wish that our local tribes had an opportunity to be more involved with our local schools. That's something I thought would be appropriate with Cedar High School and their recent name change from Redmen to Reds. Why not have the local Piute Tribe work with Iron County Schools to incorporate some history of our local native people into our schools? Maybe we'd all learn a little bit more about the history of our country and lands?

I largely agree.

Per Cedar...they did involve several members for tribal input. Just like most ethnic groups though, there wasn't a unified or consistent preference. From my memory the tribe itself decided to avoid an official stance because of the controversy. Many tribal members s did participate in the lengthy process though.

I remember my first trip to AK and buying candied salmon when it had the now abandoned name. I've known it to be pejorative for almost 20 years though. Unfortunately many indigenous words were coopted and imbued with ugly meanings and intent. Can't say I blame anyone for wanting to abandon such terminology.

Name changes aren't new even if we are in a moment when it's more common. Sometimes we get input, often we don't. I rarely invest much energy either way but I'm often more amenable to change than keeping controversial ones.