Minnesota has revealed a new state flag design as part of a competition addressing concerns about the perceived offensiveness of the current flag to Native Americans. The winning design, submitted by 24-year-old artist Andrew Prekker, departs significantly from the existing flag. Prekker’s proposal features a light blue right panel symbolizing the state’s numerous lakes, juxtaposed with a navy blue left panel resembling the outline of Minnesota. An eight-pointed northern star adds a distinctive element to the design, departing from the controversial imagery of the current flag.
Prekker’s vision aims to create a flag that all Minnesotans, including historically excluded Indigenous communities, can embrace with pride and see themselves represented. The commission appointed by the State Legislature, tasked with redesigning both the flag and the state seal, will present the winning design to the Legislature and governor by January 1 for final approval. The new flag is expected to debut on May 11, coinciding with Minnesota’s 166th birthday.
In addition to the flag redesign, the commission voted to implement changes to the state seal. The chosen design features a loon, the state bird, amid waves, wild rice, pine trees, and stars, representing distinct features of Minnesota. Despite changes, the new seal maintains the original seal’s shape, typography, and pattern adopted in 1858, the year Minnesota became a state.
The selection process stirred passionate debates among Minnesotans about their state’s identity. Some defended the existing seal, while others expressed concerns about the representation of farmers. The competition prompted necessary conversations about Minnesota’s history and the evolving narrative of the state, challenging perceptions and fostering introspection.
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