New Minnesota state flag set - Horn News

Minnesota's new state flag will feature an eight-pointed North Star on a dark blue background, symbolizing unity and pride for all.

Minnesota's new state flag has been decided by a special commission, and the final version features an eight-pointed North Star against a dark blue background shaped like the state. The commission voted 11-1 to finalize this design, which includes a solid light blue field at the right. This new flag will automatically become official on April 1, 2024, when Minnesota observes Statehood Day, unless the Legislature rejects it.

The star on the flag represents Minnesota's state motto, "Star of the North," and the light blue color symbolizes the Mississippi River, which is considered the most important river in the United States. The commission's chairman, Luis Fitch, explained that the river points to the North Star, but he acknowledged that the symbolism could mean different things to different people. The final design was chosen for its symmetry and simplicity, favoring it over other versions that included a green stripe to represent the state's agricultural heritage.

The new flag is a revised version of a design submitted by Andrew Prekker, a 24-year-old from Luverne. He expressed gratitude and amazement at the rare privilege of contributing to state history, hoping that the new flag will bring unity and pride to the state. Prekker emphasized that he hopes the new flag will properly represent all Minnesotans, including historically excluded Indigenous communities and tribal nations.

Minnesota's current flag, dating back to 1957, has been criticized for its imagery, which depicts a Native American riding off into the sunset while a white settler plows his field with a rifle leaning on a nearby stump. This design has been deemed offensive by the state's 11 recognized Dakota and Ojibwe tribes. The new flag and seal were designed with input from members of the state's tribal and other communities of color, aiming to create symbols of unity.

While some members of the commission plan to submit a minority report to the Legislature, arguing that the chosen seal violates the statute that created the commission, Democratic Secretary of State Steve Simon stated that a statewide vote on the flag and seal may be unconstitutional. Other states have also been redesigning their flags, with Mississippi voters choosing a new flag in 2020 to replace a Confederate-themed one, and several other states considering simplifying their flags.

The new flag and seal for Minnesota aim to create symbols that represent unity and pride for all of the state's residents, including historically excluded communities. The final design of the flag and seal reflects input from a diverse group of stakeholders and aims to create a unifying symbol for the state.