MARCH 14, 2025 — A bill introduced at the Minnesota State Capitol seeks to recognize the retired state flag as the state’s official “historic state flag,” reports the Albert Lea Tribune.
If approved, the measure would allow the historic flag to be flown alongside the current state flag on state property and during legislative sessions.
The bill, authored by 22 House Republicans, was presented Thursday at the House State Government Finance and Policy Committee. It proposes that the historic state flag be displayed beneath the current state flag when flown together on public property.
The bill also affirms the right of Minnesota residents to display the historic flag on private property.
Rep. Joe McDonald, R-Delano, introduced the bill, stating that the old flag deserves recognition.
“My bill … just states that Minnesota will acknowledge the great old flag of the state of Minnesota as a historic flag, and allow our civic leaders, our states, our counties, our cities, the ability to fly it below the current flag if they wish, or just fly it as well,” McDonald said. “Our Minnesota flag, although some may think it’s controversial, has a lot of great history.”
Minnesota retired its previous state flag and seal in 2024 following months of debate and public input. The old flag, featuring the state seal on a blue field, included an image of a Native American riding off into the sunset while a white settler plowed a field nearby.
Critics argued that the imagery was offensive, depicting Indigenous displacement.
However, not all lawmakers agreed with the plan. DFL Rep. Mike Freiberg, of Golden Valley, who led efforts to replace the old flag, expressed concerns about displaying the retired flag alongside the current one.
“I’d never try to tell people what to fly in their yard, certainly, but I will note that the old flag does have problematic imagery and its depiction of Indigenous Minnesotans,” Freiberg said.
Image: Alfonso Sintjago, CC BY 2.0
