Troth Yeddha' is the name of the prominent ridge on which the University of Alaska Fairbanks is currently located. In February 2013, the US Board of Geographic Names approved the university supported proposal to officially rename the ridge.[1]
| Troth Yeddha' | |
|---|---|
| College Hill | |
 The view down Troth Yeddha' towards Fairbanks | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 623 ft (190 m) |
| Coordinates | 64°51′31″N 147°50′21″W / 64.858706°N 147.839171°W |
| Geography | |
  Troth Yeddha' | |
| Location | Fairbanks North Star Borough |
The name is derived from the Lower Tanana Athabascan words troth, meaning 'Indian potato' or 'wild potato' (Hedysarum alpinum) and yeddha', meaning 'ridge'.[2]
The 2200 acre east–west trending ridge has had no official name. Portions of the ridge are referred to unofficially in English as 'College Hill' or 'University Ridge'.[3]
The name Troth Yeddha' is one of a suite of Lower Tanana place names in the university area reflecting the base troth. These include:
- Tr'exwghodegi Troth Yeddha' Bena' – Smith Lake (literally: 'upper wild potato ridge lake')
- Tr'exwghotthigi Troth Yeddha' Bena' – Ballaine Lake (literally: 'lower wild potato ridge lake')
- Troth Ghotthiit – Geist Road - Fairbanks Street area (literally: 'toward the water from Indian potato')
In 2008 the University of Alaska Fairbanks dedicated the land between the Museum of the North and the Reichart Building as Troth Yeddha' Park. A design for the park is being developed.
References
edit- ^ Ellis, Tim. 2013. Breakthrough: UAF Hill Now Officially Known by Original Athabascan Place Name. March 6. KUAC.org [1]
- ^ Kari, James. 2012. A Named Place. Fairbanks Daily New-Miner, Sept. 23
- ^ Bishop, Sam. 1985. The Old Country: Alaska Native Place Names tell History of an Ancient People. Fairbanks Daily New-Miner, June 30. http://www.uaf.edu/anla/item.xml?id=TN985B1985
External links
edit- Alaska Native Language Center Troth Yeddha' page
- Troth Yeddha' in the University of Alaska Fairbanks Catalog
- Official GNIS Name Entry