Minnesota has unveiled a new state flag design, bringing to a close a competition launched in response to complaints about the current flag’s perceived offensiveness to Native Americans.
The winning design, submitted by Andrew Prekker, a 24-year-old artist and writer from Luverne, deviates significantly from the existing flag, which has been described as a “cluttered genocidal mess.”
Prekker’s winning design contrasts a light blue right panel representing the state’s numerous lakes with a navy blue left panel resembling the outline of Minnesota.
The design is distinguished by an eight-pointed northern star. The current flag incorporates the state seal, which depicts a pioneer standing beside a rifle and a Native American on horseback holding a spear – a composition that has been criticized for its complexity and contentious imagery.
The style that stood out
Prekker’s design stood out among over 2,600 submissions to the commission appointed by the State Legislature to redesign both the flag and the state seal. His vision is to create a flag that all Minnesotans, including historically marginalized Indigenous communities, can embrace with pride and see themselves represented by.
The commission, tasked with redesigning the state flag and seal, will present the winning design to the Legislature and governor for final approval by January 1. The new flag will be unveiled on May 11, which also happens to be Minnesota’s 166th birthday.
In addition to the redesign of the flag, the commission voted last week to make changes to the state seal. The chosen design depicts a loon, the state bird, striking a pose among waves, wild rice, pine trees, and stars – elements that represent Minnesota’s distinct features. Despite the changes, the new seal retains the shape, typography, and pattern of the original seal, which was adopted in 1858, the year Minnesota became a state.
As they imagined their state’s identity portrayed on a flag, Minnesotans engaged in passionate debates and introspection during the selection process. Some defended the current seal, claiming it was not racist, while others expressed concerns about farmer representation. From a loon with laser eyes to a Labrador in a lush field, the plethora of submissions included a wide range of interpretations.
Though some criticized the winning design as “boring” or “too nationalist,” others praised its simplicity. Prekker’s initial design included a green stripe representing nature and agriculture, but it was later removed, which piqued the public’s interest.
According to artist Sarah Agaton Howes, the competition prompted uncomfortable but necessary conversations about Minnesota’s history and the state’s evolving narrative.