Washington (AFP) - The midwestern US state of Minnesota has unveiled a new flag after ditching its old one that depicted a farmer beside a rifle and a Native American on horseback.
Criticized for years as racially insensitive, the old flag is being replaced by a light blue and dark blue design with a white star, based on an idea by local artist Andrew Prekker.
Prekker said Tuesday that he hoped "that every Minnesotan of every background -- including the Indigenous communities and tribal nations who've been historically excluded -- can look up at our flag with pride and honor."
The previous flag, which included the state seal containing the controversial imagery, was described as "a cluttered genocidal mess" by state lawmaker Mike Freiberg.
The new flag's dark blue pattern echoes the shape of the state and its light blue represents Minnesota's lakes, according to the design commission, which received 2,600 submissions on changing both the flag and the state seal.
The commission produced a new seal featuring the state bird -- a loon -- alongside waves, rice and mountains.
If approved by the local legislature, the new flag will be officially raised on Minnesota's annual statehood day in May.
