By David Detmold, Montague
On Monday, May 11th, the Town of Granby voted by a convincing majority, and on Monday, May 18th, the Town of Maynard joined with Granby and 85 other cities and towns across the Commonwealth calling on the state legislature and the governor to change the Massachusetts Flag and Seal.
In both towns, opposition was voiced from the floor, but large majorities of voters overcame those voices in support of the long-awaited change.
“You are trying to change our history!” said the opponents.
Unfortunately, we cannot change our history. The history of our relations with Indigenous people in Massachusetts and across the country is a woeful history of genocidal violence, land-taking, enslavement and the oppression of Native people.
But we can change the future of our relationships and enter into a more respectful dialogue with Indigenous people. We can start by working together to heed the call of the leaders of five tribal nations of Massachusetts, or their designated representatives, who served on the Special Commission on the Seal, Flag and Motto of the Commonwealth. They voted unanimously in May 17th, 2022 – along with Republican and Democratic legislators, historians, arts and tourism officials, and the designee of the Secretary of State to seek a complete revision of the seal and flag of Massachusetts: the last flag of overt white supremacy still flying in America today.
Indigenous leaders from other tribal nations in the Commonwealth or with historical ties to the Commonwealth have joined in that call.
After 41 years of continuous study and delay at the state legislature, Indigenous leaders are asking for our help to get this done.
How much longer will we have to fly this flag and ask our grade school children to study it in our public schools? How does a third grade teacher answer her students if they ask her: “Why is there a white hand holding a sword over the head of an Indigenous person? And what does that Latin motto mean?”
It means, essentially, “Peace Under the Sword.” We have had enough of that policy here in Massachusetts, across the country and around the world to last many lifetimes.
It is well past time for Massachusetts to take down this shameful flag and give us a new one we can be proud to teach our children, and to stand for our Commonwealth. Please take a moment today to call or text Governor Maura Healey: 617-725-4005 and urge her to reactivate the advisory commission on the Seal, Flag and Motto of Massachusetts (which has not met since December 17th of 2025) to give us a slate of final designs to choose from: for a new, aspirational and inclusive flag and seal for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.