Wednesday August 7, 2024
Andrew Prekker, the flag's designer, said it wasn’t inspired by Somalia’s
Walz greets Kamala Harris in St. Paul, Minn., on March 14.Stephen Maturen / AFP via Getty Images
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (HOL) — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, recently announced as Kamala Harris's running mate for the 2024 presidential election, did not change the state flag to resemble the Somali flag or Puntland's state flag. This claim, which surfaced on social media after the announcement, is false.
The new Minnesota state flag and seal, introduced in May, were redesigned to address concerns from Native American communities about the old design. The previous flag depicted a white settler and an Indigenous man, imagery criticized for being a painful reminder of conquest and displacement. In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature established the State Emblems Redesign Commission to oversee the redesign. Governor Walz signed the bill into law but did not participate in the design process. The commission comprised public officials, design experts, and representatives from tribal and other communities of colour.
The commission received over 2,600 design proposals from the public and selected a design by Andrew Prekker, a 25-year-old from Luverne, Minnesota. Prekker's design originally included three horizontal stripes (white, green, and light blue) and a navy blue Minnesota outline with an eight-pointed star. The final design simplified the elements, featuring a dark blue shape of Minnesota with a white, eight-pointed star and a light blue background representing the state's abundant waters.
Contrary to the claims, the new flag does not resemble the Somali national flag, which features a five-pointed star on a light blue background. Instead, comparisons have been drawn to the flag of Puntland, a region in Somalia. Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the U.S., including U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, who hails from this region, contributing to these misconceptions. Prekker confirmed that neither Governor Walz nor any Somali flag influenced his design. The inspiration came from Minnesota's own history, symbolized by its motto, "L'etoile Du Nord," meaning "star of the north."
The redesign aimed to create a unifying symbol reflecting Minnesota's diverse history and culture. Experts praised the new design for its simplicity, uniqueness, and meaningful symbols. The North American Vexillological Association awarded the new flag an "A+" for its design. It was officially flown for the first time on May 11, 2024.
Walz's selection as Harris's running mate highlights his appeal to rural, conservative voters and his record of progressive accomplishments as governor. His background as a soldier, teacher, coach, and congressman complements Harris's experience and aims to broaden the Democratic ticket's appeal in battleground states.
Final version of Minnesota's new flag(MN State Emblems Redesign Commission)