Historian gets one step closer to changing names of hate on Alaska map
Anchorage historian gets his chance to be heard on offensive Aleutian place names
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - It takes time and energy to change a name on a map. Michael Livingston, an Anchorage-based historian, knows about the work firsthand.
Last April, he began the process of trying to remove two offensive names from Alaskan geography.
He was shocked when he made his discovery while examining a map of Little Kiska Island in the Aleutians. Left over from World War II were the place names Nazi Creek and Nip Hill.
Livingston began his quest to see the names erased from the maps and returned to the names used by the Unangax̂ peoples of the area. His proposal — to change the name of Nazi Creek to “Kaxchim Chiĝanaa,” which means Gizzard Creek — and change the name of Nip Hill to “Kaxchim Qayaa,” which means Gizzard Hill.
Both names are recommended by Moses Dirks, an expert in the Unangam Tunuu language.
Now, one year later, with all of the paperwork complete, Livingston got his chance to address the Alaska Historical Commission. On April 3, he had three minutes to make his pitch.
When the commission voted on the proposed name changes, they passed with a vote of 6-0.
It doesn’t change the names, but it does show the U.S. Board of Geographic Names that Alaska approves the proposed name changes. That national board will consider the proposal when they meet in May.
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