This essay explores the controversy of renaming significant historical sites and the cultural differences between Native Americans and whites in
recognizing those sites. Central to this issue was the question of whether sites should be given names that reflect indigenous culture or names that reflect
the culture of European settlers
On the eve of the National Park Service's 100th anniversary, the name of the highest peak in North America changed from ''Mount McKinley'' to
"Denali." The timing of the change not only helps mark the agency's centennial, it shines a light on the long human history of the park, and illuminates a
naming debate that has lasted more than 100 years.
Origins of the Name Controversy
On January 13th, 1916, hunter-naturalist Charles Sheldon made an appeal to Thomas Riggs of the Alaska Engineering Commission regarding the
naming of the park and its crown jewel
be preserved."
"I hope that in the bill you will call it 'Mt Denali National Park' so that the true old Indian [sic] name of Mt McKinley (meaning 'the Great One') will thus
On the same day that Sheldon sent his letter, mountaineer Belmore Browne also wrote to Riggs about the naming of the park and was unequivocal
in his language, referring to the proposed park as "Denali National Park."
Riggs disagreed with Sheldon and Browne. In his reply to Browne, Riggs declared.

Read paragraph 1 of the excerpt. Which of these is the main point of this introduction?

A. The National Park Service has the authority to change the names of parks
B. The change of the mountain's name marks its return to indigenous ownership
C. The change of the mountain's name has more than a superficial significance
D. The National Park Service was established more than a century ago