Minnesota is set to get a new state flag this spring, replacing an old flag that brought up painful memories of conquest and displacement for Native Americans. The flag design, adopted in December, features a dark blue shape resembling Minnesota on the left, with a white, eight-pointed North Star on it. On the right is a light blue field symbolizing the abundant waters that define the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The new state seal also replaces the image of a Native American riding off into the sunset with a loon amid wild rice.

The flag was designed by a committee that included design experts and members of tribal and other communities of color. More than 2,600 proposals were submitted by the public, and the commission picked a design by Andrew Prekker as the base. The main changes made by the commission were rotating the star to point straight north and replacing the original light blue, white, and green stripes with a solid light blue field. The light blue area represents the Mississippi River, which originates in Minnesota, pointing to the North Star.

While the new flag received some criticism, supporters hope it will grow on people. Some criticism circulated by conservatives has been inaccurate, with claims that the flag resembles that of Somalia or its Puntland region. However, the commission dropped the stripes in favor of simplicity and symmetry, and the final version does not resemble the Somali national flag.

The new flag is important to many Native Americans in Minnesota, as it replaces a flag that was seen as racist. The change is seen as a way to honor the history and celebrate the future of the state. Several other states, including Utah, Mississippi, Michigan, Illinois, and Maine, have also been redesigning their flags. Michigan is in the process of simplifying its flag, while Illinois and Maine are considering changes to their current designs.