Municipality of Anchorage Public Naming Commission Meeting

Note: The transcript indicates the meeting took place on October 8, 2025, but the provided timestamp is October 9, 2025 23:47 UTC. This summary uses the date provided for the title.

The Anchorage Public Naming Commission held its first meeting with a quorum since June 2025, approving several foundational documents and discussing upcoming naming proposals. Commissioners also elected a vice chair and initiated a work group to develop indigenous naming policies.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda as amended (added item E under new business: review of public naming practices across US and Canada).
• Approved minutes from June, July, August, and September 2025 meetings.

Discussion Items

• Naming Implementation Goals and Strategies: Approved after months of discussion. Commissioner Kevin noted he had no large comments and generally agreed.
• Submission Form: Approved with a note to remove a duplicate vision statement and format to one page.
• Bylaws: Approved with edits (election of officers changed to January, minor wording fixes). Annual review will be scheduled.
• Calendar: Approved, including flexibility to skip monthly meetings if no business exists. Staff will post on website with submission forms.
• Instructions Document (Public Handout): Draft presented by the chair. Commissioners suggested:
  • Adding a sentence under “Indigenous significance” recommending the definition of an indigenous word if proposed for naming.
  • Creating an interactive GIS map for public use to identify municipally-owned lands. Commissioner Britt volunteered to contact IT (Brendan) to explore development.
  • Document approved as amended.
• Golden Lion Building Naming Request: The health department asked the commission to suggest names for the former Golden Lion restaurant (now permanent housing), which will become a treatment center. Commissioners debated the political sensitivity and decided not to provide name suggestions but rather to furnish the department with the newly approved submission form, instructions, and code. The chair will reach out to the health department director with these materials.
• Review of Public Naming Practices (US and Canada): A commissioner presented a report finding that the commission’s work aligns with practices in other cities. Key highlights include indigenous naming pathways and signage options for honoring history when renaming is not possible. The discussion led to forming a work group on indigenous naming policies.
• Indigenous Naming Policy Discussion: Commissioner Kevin raised questions about distinguishing between government-to-government consultation (with the Native Village of Eklutna) and engagement with other Alaska Native groups or individuals. The commission proposed creating a policy for consultation steps and public resources. Faith, acting tribal administrator for Eklutna, joined virtually and suggested presenting the topic at the upcoming joint Anchorage Assembly-Eklutna government-to-government meeting. The vice chair (Jennifer) and another commissioner volunteered to form a work group to research examples (e.g., Ontario Telham, Red Deer) and report back next meeting. The chair and vice chair will represent the commission at the joint meeting if it occurs.

Key Outcomes

• Election of Vice Chair: Jennifer Harrison was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy left by Christine’s resignation.
• Appointments to Work Group: The vice chair and one other commissioner will develop draft indigenous naming policies and public resources, with a progress report due at the next meeting.
• Representation at Joint Meeting: The chair and vice chair will attend the Anchorage Assembly-Eklutna government-to-government meeting (date TBD, originally scheduled for October 23 but may be rescheduled).
• Next Steps: The chair will send the Golden Lion submission form and code to the health department. Staff will work with IT on a GIS map for public use.