Minnesota has unveiled a new state flag to replace a design that had long been criticized for its perceived offensiveness to Native Americans. The proposed flag, featuring a white eight-pointed star against a dark blue background shaped like the state, was revealed on Tuesday by the State Emblems Redesign Commission.

The design, created by 24-year-old Minnesotan artist Andrew Prekker, serves as an ode to the state’s motto, ‘Star of the North,’ with the light blue symbolizing Minnesota’s abundant waters.

The flag was approved by Minnesota’s State Emblems Redesign Commission after an 11-1 vote. Chairman Andrew Prekker acknowledged that interpretations of the flag might vary among different individuals. Notably, the current state flag, dating back to 1957, had faced controversy due to its depiction of a horse-mounted Native American moving away from a farmer with a plough and a rifle, which some argue alludes to the displacement of Native Americans in Minnesota.

The new flag, set to become official on May 11, Minnesota’s Statehood Day, was not the only change approved by the commission. A new state seal was also given the green light, featuring a loon, Minnesota’s state bird. The redesign commission’s decision, however, did not come without its share of comparisons. Some noted similarities between Prekker’s design and the flag of Puntland, a Somali state, leading to questions about coincidences and cultural influences.

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon addressed concerns about similarities, drawing parallels with other states like Iowa and Texas, which share design elements with flags from France and Chile, respectively. Notably, Minnesota is home to a sizable Somali diaspora, and though comparisons have been made to Puntland’s flag, officials have emphasized that any resemblance is purely coincidental.

Minnesota is changing its state flag to replace a design that has been criticized for being offensive, particularly by Native Americans. The current flag, dating back to 1957, features a depiction that some interpret as referencing the displacement of Native Americans in the state.

The Minnesota flag was designed by Andrew Prekker, a 24-year-old artist from Minnesota. His design, featuring a white eight-pointed star against a dark blue background shaped like the state, was selected and approved by the State Emblems Redesign Commission after an 11-1 vote.

The new Minnesota state flag features a white eight-pointed star set against a dark blue background shaped like the state itself. The design, created by Andrew Prekker, is an ode to Minnesota’s motto, ‘Star of the North.’

The state seal of Minnesota changed part of the redesign. The new state seal features a loon, which is Minnesota’s state bird. The loon is a common bird in the state and is known for its distinctive calls and presence in Minnesota’s lakes.