Minnesota raises 11 tribal nation flags at Capitol Mall

The flags of Minnesota’s 11 sovereign Tribal Nations were raised for the first time at the State Capitol Mall during the opening of the Tribal Flag Plaza on Sept. 5, according to Red Lake Nation News. Gov. Tim Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and tribal leaders from across the state spoke at the ceremony, which drew community members to the Capitol Complex.

The new plaza includes plantings chosen by each tribe along with Minnesota-sourced granite pavers and benches. Metro State University noted that student Brett King of the Red Lake Nation contributed through song and drumming during the event. Minnesota is the second state in the nation to dedicate a permanent plaza featuring the flags of its Tribal Nations, according to Red Lake Nation News.