Dear Friends and Supporters of Indigenous Rights:
Please share this message widely through your networks throughout Massachusetts:
On Thursday, May 8th, the Massachusetts Flag, Seal and Motto Advisory Commission issued a call for public submissions for design sketches and ideas for a new state flag, seal and motto for the Commonwealth.
“Our seal, flag, and motto should reflect not just our history, but the vibrant, diverse community we are today – and the future we are building together. I can’t wait to see the creativity, ideas, and sense of belonging that people across Massachusetts will bring to this process,” said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, co-chair of the advisory commission.
Using the link below to a portal for submissions, the public – including grade school students, artists, designers, and culture bearers – are encouraged to submit design sketches and ideas for a new flag, seal and motto.
A public submission portal is available on the Advisory Commission’s website. Individuals and organizations can submit written ideas, visual sketches, or full design concepts until June 18, 2025. Following the gathering of submissions, the Advisory Commission will select three final options for each category and hold public hearings to solicit feedback and input on the state emblems.
The open call for submissions will end on June 18th, 2025.
To read the full text of the call for submissions, go to:
Website Improved; Archived Recordings of Prior Meetings Posted
For those interested, archived recordings of the March 20th and April 29th meetings of the advisory commission are now posted on the commission’s website : www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-seal-flag-and-motto-advisory-commission.
The homepage now features a link to join a mailing list for regular updates from the commission, as well as a feedback link for public comments.
The commission has posted the dates of their next two meetings, open to all members of the public: May 28th, from 1- 2 p.m. and June 23rd, from 10 – 11 a.m.
A phone conversation with commission co-chair Kate Fox prompted state senator Jo Comerford of Northampton, one of the legislature’s leading proponents for a new state flag, seal and motto, to write on May 9th: “The Commission regretted the Zoom glitch during (the April) 29th meeting,” which prevented members of the public from joining. She noted,. “The Commission has made arrangements to fix this going forward.”
Senator Comerford added that the Commission, through co-chair Fox, has promised to honor the call by Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag elder Elizabeth Solomon to center and elevate Indigenous voices on the Commission’s statutory charge to recommend: “Educational programs to help residents understand local Indigenous history and the historical underpinnings of the previous and new seals, mottos and flags from an Indigenous perspective.”
Please Attend: Mass Indigenous Legislative Agenda launch! Monday, May 12th, 1:00 p.m.
Indigenous leaders from across the Commonwealth will speak at the State House in Boston on Monday, May 12th, for the launch of the Mass Indigenous Legislative Agenda.
Top priorities include Banning the use of Native mascots in public schools in Massachusetts and changing the official state holiday on the second Monday of October from Columbus to Indigenous Peoples Day.
The launch begins at 1 p.m. in Room 428 at the State House in Boston. Supporters of the Mass Indigenous Legislative Agenda may also participate virtually via the following Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87659902720?pwd=Lt7NcxAu1Fexfi38HcTMArY0aoa3Vb.1