The new state flag for Minnesota has been selected with the North Star in fear of being racist
A special panel ruled on Tuesday that the new state flag for Minnesota should have an eight-pointed North Star against a dark blue backdrop shaped like the state, with a solid light blue field to the right. The previous design was deemed disrespectful by many Native Americans.
The new state seal featuring the state bird, the loon, was approved by the State Emblems Redesign Commission, which voted 11-1 to approve the final form. The new flag and seal will automatically become official on April 1, 2024, Minnesota's Statehood Day, unless the Legislature rejects them.
The star is reminiscent of the state motto of Minnesota, "Star of the North." Luis Fitch, the commission's chairman, pointed to the North Star and explained that, in his opinion, the light blue symbolizes the Mississippi River, "the most important river in the United States." However, he conceded that different people may interpret it differently. Some variants, including ones with a green line to honor the state's agricultural background, were defeated by symmetry and simplicity. The updated flag is based on a design that Luverne resident Andrew Prekker, 24, submitted. Prekker expressed his gratitude and amazement at being granted the "rare privilege" of having his work included in the history of the state.
Prekker, in a statement read to the commission, expressed his pride in the achievement, emphasizing the hope that the new flag would represent Minnesota more inclusively. He acknowledged the significance of the flag in unifying the state's diverse communities, including Indigenous groups historically excluded from representation.
Minnesota's current flag, adopted in 1957, has faced criticism for its outdated imagery. The 1893 original was updated to depict a Native American riding away while a white settler worked the land. Critics argue that this imagery implies Indigenous defeat and departure, while whites prevail and remain. The state's 11 recognized Dakota and Ojibwe tribes found the previous design offensive.
The state's flag redesign commission, including members from tribal and diverse communities, recently approved a new seal featuring a loon and the Dakota name for Minnesota: Mni Sóta Makoce, translating to "where the water meets the sky." The commission also voted to increase the gold bars on the rim from 87 to 98, representing each county and the 11 tribes.
Supporters of the new design hope it becomes a unifying symbol, addressing concerns raised by two Republican nonvoting members of the commission, Rep. Bjorn Olson and Sen. Steve Drazkowski. They argue that the chosen seal violates the commission's statute by emphasizing one race over others. Olson and Drazkowski propose a vote on the flag and seal next November, but Democratic Secretary of State Steve Simon suggests this may be unconstitutional under current Minnesota law.
Several states have undertaken flag redesigns to modernize outdated symbols. Utah recently approved a simplified design, while Mississippi voters opted for a new flag without Confederate imagery. Other states, including Michigan, Illinois, and Maine, are also considering simplifying their flags to better reflect contemporary values. In Maine, voters will decide next year whether to replace the current banner with a retro version featuring a simple pine tree and blue North Star.
