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For 166 years, the Great Seal of Minnesota told the story of the state’s founding: a pioneer farmer plowing the land in the foreground while a Native American on horseback rode toward the setting sun — all beneath the motto L’Étoile du Nord (“The Star of the North”). On 11 May 2024, both the seal and flag were replaced by new designs after the State Emblems Redesign Commission declared the original imagery a symbol of Indigenous displacement. The decision remains deeply controversial: a poll found only 23% of Minnesotans supported the new flag, and a growing list of cities and counties — from Detroit Lakes to Crow Wing County — have refused to fly it. This page preserves the original symbols that represented Minnesota from statehood to 2024.
| State | Minnesota (32nd state, admitted 11 May 1858) |
|---|---|
| Original seal | Pioneer farmer, Native American horseman, sunset, pine trees |
| Original seal in use | 1858–2024 (166 years) |
| Original flag | Dark blue field with state seal |
| Motto | L’Étoile du Nord (“The Star of the North”) |
| Replaced | 11 May 2024 (Statehood Day) |
| New flag designer | Andrew Prekker (Luverne, MN) |
| Public support (new flag) | 23% (poll) |
| Cities refusing new flag | Detroit Lakes, Wadena, Crow Wing County, Elk River, and others |
| Capital | Saint Paul |
Original Great Seal of Minnesota — In use from 1858 to 2024
The original seal depicted a scene of the Minnesota frontier:
The seal was adopted at statehood in 1858 and survived for 166 years — through the Civil War, two World Wars, the civil rights era, and into the 21st century — before being replaced.
Original Flag of Minnesota — State seal on dark blue, 1858–2024
The original flag was a dark blue field bearing the state seal in the centre, surrounded by 19 gold stars (Minnesota was the 19th state after the original 13) and the state name in gold letters. Like many US state flags of its era, it was a “seal on a bedsheet” design — often criticised by vexillologists for being indistinguishable from other state flags at a distance, but beloved by Minnesotans for its rich historical imagery.
Critics — particularly Indigenous communities — argued that the original seal depicted the forced displacement of Native Americans: a white farmer with a rifle claimed the land while an Indian rode away into the sunset, never to return. Calls for a change date back to at least 1968, when the Minnesota Human Rights Commissioner first requested a redesign.
In May 2023, the state legislature established the State Emblems Redesign Commission. It received 2,123 flag submissions and 398 seal designs. On 15 December 2023, design F1953 — by Andrew Prekker, a 24-year-old from Luverne with no formal design background — was selected as the new flag. The new seal features a common loon (state bird), wild rice (state grain), the North Star, and the Dakota phrase Mni Sóta Makoce (“Land where the water reflects the sky”).
The new symbols were adopted on Statehood Day, 11 May 2024. Public reaction was deeply divided:
The original seal (1858–2024) depicted a pioneer farmer plowing his land in the foreground, with a Native American on horseback riding toward a setting sun in the background. A rifle rested nearby. The scene was framed by pine trees, the Mississippi River, and the motto L’Étoile du Nord. It was replaced on 11 May 2024.
Critics argued that the image of a white farmer displacing a Native American riding into the sunset depicted the forced removal and erasure of Indigenous peoples. Calls for change date back to 1968. The State Emblems Redesign Commission was established in May 2023 and new symbols adopted on 11 May 2024.
The new flag, designed by Andrew Prekker, features a dark blue field in the shape of Minnesota, an eight-pointed North Star, and a light blue field representing waters. However, only 23% of voters supported it in a poll, and numerous cities and counties have refused to fly it.
L’Étoile du Nord is French for “The Star of the North,” reflecting Minnesota’s position as the northernmost state at the time of its 1858 admission. The motto appeared on the original seal and remains the official state motto.
Yes. As of 2026, a growing list including Detroit Lakes, Wadena, Crow Wing County, Zumbrota, Elk River, Champlin, Byron, Houston County, and others have chosen to keep or return to the original flag.
Last reviewed by the Emblema Mundi editorial team on 2026-06-24.