Minnesota picks new state flag: Here’s what to know

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Love it, hate it or yawn, this spring Minnesota will be replaced by an old flag that evoked painful memories of conquest and exile, with a new state reflecting its motto: It's the Arctic State. We are planning to establish a flag. for Native Americans.

During the months-long selection process, some designs received cult status on social media but did not make it to the final round. Among them was the state bird, the loon, which has lasers for its eyes. A photo of someone's dog. Famous paintings of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. And an image of a rather large mosquito.

Instead, the flag design adopted in December features a dark blue shape resembling the state of Minnesota on the left with a white eight-pointed North Star above it. The light blue field on the right symbolizes the abundance of water that helps define the Land of 10,000 Lakes for those involved in the selection process.

The new state seal depicts a loon in a field of wild rice, replacing the image of a Native American riding off into the sunset while white settlers hold rifles and plow the fields. It will be done. Since the seal was an important feature of the old flag, there was pressure to change both.

Unless Congress rejects the new coat of arms, which is unlikely, it will become official on May 11th. Other states are also considering or have already changed their flags. Here's what you need to know about Minnesota's new flag and emblem, and how the debate unfolded.

That flag is designed by committee — A committee that included design experts and members of tribal and other communities of color. More than 2,600 suggestions were submitted by the public. The committee selected the work of Andrew Plecker, 24, of Luverne, as the basic design.

The main changes the committee made were to rotate the star 22.5 degrees so that it pointed straight north, and to replace the original light blue, white, and green stripes with a solid field of light blue. The meaning of the light blue area is up to the viewer. The original Dakota state name for Minnesota used on the new seal, Mni Sóta Makoce, can be translated as “where water and sky meet.” Commission Chairman Louis Fitch said the light blue color represents the Mississippi River, which originates in Minnesota, and points to the North Star.

It's safe to say that when the design was announced, much of the public reaction to the new flag fell into the “meh” or worse category. But supporters of the new flag hope people will love it. Not many people had special feelings toward the old flag.

Some of the criticisms spread by conservatives are inaccurate. This flag does not resemble the flag of Somalia or its Puntland region.

While it is true that both the original design and the Puntland flag had light blue, white, and green stripes in the same order, the commission removed the stripes in favor of simplicity and symmetry. And it would be an understatement to say that the final version closely resembles the Somali flag: solid light blue with a white five-pointed star in the center. The state Democratic Party chair issued a news release tasking one Republican lawmaker with the following tasks: Encourage the spread of false information on social media.

Two Republicans who were nonvoting members of the committee opposed stamping the Dakota name on Minnesota. They said they plan to propose letting voters decide whether to vote yes or no this November. The proposal is unlikely to gain support in the Democratic-controlled Congress. And Democratic Secretary of State Steve Simon, a committee member who supported both proposals, said the referendum would likely be unconstitutional.

Additionally, Aaron Whitnabel, a voting member of the Ojibwe community board, said in last week's Minority Report that adopting the Dakota phrase on the seal would be an “insurrection for other ethnic groups in Minnesota.” It favors the Dakota people over the group.”

While the new flag may seem uninspiring to some critics and a waste of time and the commission's $35,000 budget, it is one of the 11 federally recognized Ojibwa tribes. This change is significant for many Native Americans in the states where the Dakota and Dakota are present.

“How dare you say anything other than indigenous people being forced off their land is an upgrade to the flag?!” Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan tweeted: Member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwa. “We are excited to have a new state flag that represents all of Minnesota.”

Democratic state Sen. Mary Kunesh, a descendant of the Standing Rock Lakota tribe, was the lead author of the bill that initiated the redesign and a nonvoting member of the committee. She said in her statement that the more than 2,600 submissions and active public debate demonstrate that Minnesotans care deeply about their state.

“It was an amazing experience to see the energy and passion of our community reflected in the beautiful designs they submitted,” Kunesh said. “From loons and wild rice to water and the North Star, we captured the essence of our nation in our new flag and coat of arms. These designs honor our history and celebrate Minnesota's future.”

One Indigenous graphic designer is already selling T-shirts online. Adopting a new design And they say, “At least that flag isn't racist anymore.”

Ted Kaye, executive director of the North American Veterinary Medical Association, who researched the flag and worked on its redesign, gave the new Minnesota flag an “A+” for its simplicity, uniqueness, and use of meaningful symbols. said.

of The Utah Legislature approved it last winter. The design features a beehive, a symbol of the prosperity and hard work of Mormon pioneers. Mississippi has chosen a new flag featuring a magnolia to replace its Confederate-themed flag. Other states considering simplifying their flags include: michigan, illinois And the main thing.