Minnesota introduces a fresh design for its state flag

Minnesota has unveiled a new state flag to replace a design that was considered offensive by many Native Americans. The proposed flag is a white eight-pointed star against a dark blue background shaped like the state. The special commission that approved it said the design represents Minnesota's motto, Star of the North, and the light blue represents the state's waters. However, the chairman of the redesign commission acknowledged that the flag could be interpreted differently by others. The new flag, created by artist Andrew Prekker, was approved by an 11-1 vote and will become official on May 11th, Minnesota's Statehood Day. In addition to the flag, the commission also approved a new state seal featuring a loon, the state bird. The current flag, which dates back to 1957, has been the subject of debate due to its depiction of a Native American and a farmer. Some have viewed it as a reference to the displacement of Native Americans in Minnesota. There have been comparisons between Prekker's design and the flag of Puntland, a Somali state, but officials have stated that any similarity is purely coincidental. Other US states, such as Mississippi, have also been redesigning their flags in recent years.