The DFL-controlled legislature authorized the State Emblems Redesign Commission to choose new official state symbols by Jan. 1, 2024.
But the commission’s selections have sparked criticism from some Republican lawmakers and concern from Native American groups.
The current state flag, adopted in 1957, features the official seal on a blue background.
The seal depicts a Native American on horseback riding into the sunset as a white farmer plows a field.
Many Native Americans have criticized this imagery as offensive and a whitewashing of history.
The commission was tasked with replacing both the seal and flag with more inclusive symbols representing Minnesota’s diverse communities.
The new flag features two shades of blue and a single star, while the new seal depicts a common loon, the state bird.
Republican Party leaders Senator David Hann and Representative Donna Bergstrom denounced the redesigns as a Democratic attempt to “erase history.”
Facing financial struggles, the GOP is selling merchandise with the old flag emblem to rile up supporters.