
With the sun shining down on the capitol building in St. Paul, Minnesota, a new state flag gracefully unfurled in the breeze this past Saturday, marking a historic change on their statehood day. This alteration, official as of its presentation, was birthed from a need to respectfully acknowledge a painful past and pave the way for a fresh chapter.
Over the years, there had been growing discontent and discomfort with the previous flag and state seal. The Native American community voiced their distress, stating that the old seal and flag were painful reminders of a cruel past of conquest and uprooting. The representatives of this proud community argued that the symbolism on the flag was an inconsiderate portrayal of hardship that their ancestors endured.
One of the most notable elements of the old state seal was a depiction of a Native American fading into the sunset, while a white settler diligently tilled his land, rifle by his side. The Native American community argued that this imagery reeked of conquest, telling a story of displacement rather than cohabitation. The seal was not just a part of the flag, but its essence, and that’s what spawned a nationwide discourse on its change.
In this quest to reimagine the flag and state seal, numerous designs were submitted online. The public discourse was animated with vibrant suggestions. Some popular design elements included the state bird – a loon – with some creative submissions even featuring lasers in its eyes! But, the final selection took a more metaphorical approach.
The new standard, proudly occupying the capitol’s flag pole, bears a design adopted in December and inaugurated this weekend. It deceptively simple with a potent, underlying significance. The flag is adorned with a dark blue silhouette of the state of Minnesota, nestled onto which is a brilliant eight-pointed North Star, glowing white for balance and unity.
On the other side of the flag is a serene, light blue field, a color considered to symbolize the abundant bodies of water which punctuate Minnesota’s lush landscape. It’s a tribute to Minnesota’s reputation as the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’, communicating the state’s unique geography.
While the loon didn’t make it to the flag, it did find a place on the reimagined seal. The new state seal features the iconic bird in a distinctive setting of wild rice. It carries the spirit of the state, capturing the elements closest to Minnesotan hearts, telling an inclusive story that celebrates their land and all its dwellers.
As this new flag waves high atop the capitol, it ushers in an era of change and reconciliation, promising to be a beacon of hope and unity in a land that’s just as diverse as the people who call it home.