PUBLIC NAMING COMMISSION
Vision Statement: We
envision a Municipality of Anchorage where the names of public places reflect
the full story of our community – the land’s history, Indigenous place names, and
the cultural,
natural, and civic identities of our city. By recognizing stories and
landscapes that shape our community, we aim to foster a sense of shared
identity and belonging. Our work includes the careful consideration and
recommendation of names for Municipal sites, objects, trails, landscapes, and
buildings. The Public Naming Commission uses a culturally aware naming process
with active community input (Approved 6/11/2025).
Goals:
- Goal 1 – Review and responds to applications in a timely manner.
- Goal 2 – Advocate for sound and defensible naming recommendations for Assembly approval.
- Goal 3 – Celebrate with the community newly named sites, objects, trails, landscapes, or buildings as they are approved by the Assembly.
- Goal 4 – Keep communications positive and forthcoming to create a listening environment that encourages good feedback and understanding.
Strategies:
- Strategy 1 – Create a creative and useful application process for naming.
- Strategy 2 – Create an outreach program to share our work with the community, Mayor, and Assembly.
- Strategy 3 – Strive to understand sensitive cultural and community issues related to naming sites, objects, trails, landscapes, or buildings.
(Approved 10/08/2025)