Minnesota State Flag on Track for Redesign

(KNSI) — Less than a month before the Legislature’s adjournment date, an item being discussed is the redesign of the Minnesota state flag.

The design currently has the state seal on a blue background but has come under scrutiny recently due to the illegibility of the seal and the fact that it allegedly hides violence committed against indigenous peoples by white European settlers. According to Representative Mike Freiberg, it can be amended without completely changing it, saying, “Our current flag and seal can be preserved historically with adequate commentary on it, but they do not need to, and they should not remain in place on flagpoles and official documents.”

The proposal would create a State Emblems Redesign Commission of public members appointed by the governor, representatives from ethnic councils and tribal leaders.

Opponents cite a lack of input from lawmakers and tradition after a task force to change the design was created last session, but it failed in committee. The last time the flag went under a major redesign was in 1957.

Beyond the cultural concerns raised, critics say the flag doesn’t stand out.

“The North American Vexillological Association has five principles for good flag design: Keep it simple, use meaningful symbolism, use two or three basic colors, don’t use lettering or seals, and be distinctive or related,” says Freiberg. “The Minnesota flag fails each of these principles.”
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MNC Reporter Mike Moen contributed to this story.

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