Sheffield, Massachusetts – A resolution to support redesigning the Commonwealth’s state flag and seal is slated for a vote at this year’s Annual Town Meeting, bringing a decades-long effort to the local level. While the issue has only recently reached Sheffield, advocates across Massachusetts have been working for over 50 years to address concerns about the current symbols and their historical implications.
The current Massachusetts flag and seal, adopted in 1898, feature a depiction of a Native man with a bow and arrow, positioned beneath an arm wielding a colonial broadsword – modeled after the broadsword of Myles Standish, currently held at Pilgrim Hall in Plymouth. The state motto, “Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem” (By the sword we seek peace), has drawn criticism for its perceived glorification of violence and its insensitivity to the history of Indigenous peoples in the region. The imagery itself is a composite, utilizing a Native skeleton unearthed in Winthrop and the likeness of Ojibwe Chief Thomas Little Shell, whose ancestral lands are located in the Great Lakes region of the U.S. And Canada.
The push for change stems from the belief that the current symbols are harmful and misrepresent the history and experiences of Indigenous communities in Massachusetts. A 2023 report from the Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission unanimously determined that the existing seal and motto “do not reflect and embody the historic and contemporary commitments of the commonwealth to peace, justice, liberty, and equality.” The commission specifically identified the depiction of the Indigenous figure, created without Indigenous input, and the sword as problematic elements.
David Detmold, who runs the website Change the Mass Flag, has been instrumental in coordinating a grassroots effort to bring resolutions of support to town and city meetings across the state for the past eight years. He believes a “tipping point” is near, with approximately a quarter of Massachusetts cities and towns already expressing support for a change. “Town meeting votes here in the Northeast are really the most democratic form available to us to weigh in on this matter, which has been delayed by the legislature for decades,” Detmold stated.
A Long History of Advocacy
The effort to revise the state seal is not new. Former State Representative Byron Rushing first filed legislation to address the issue in 1984. More recently, in 2021, Governor Charlie Baker appointed the Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission to study the matter. Under Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024, a new advisory committee is currently tasked with developing and recommending new symbols through a public process, having narrowed down options for seal and flag designs, as well as mottos, to three choices each.
Detmold recently presented his case at the Bushnell-Sage Library in February, outlining the history and concerns surrounding the current flag and seal. A recording of the presentation is available online.
Addressing Historical Trauma and Seeking Reconciliation
Advocates emphasize that changing the flag and seal is not about erasing history, but about acknowledging the painful legacy of colonization and moving towards a more inclusive future. Detmold recalled a conversation with Sean Stevens, a member of the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohicans, who described the sword on the flag as representing “genocide.” “From that point of view, he’s telling the truth,” Detmold said.
While Governor Maura Healey has acknowledged the work of the legislature and commission, she indicated in 2025 that the flag and seal would remain unchanged for the time being, citing other priorities. Though, advocates remain determined. “Please get it done,” Detmold urged. “It’s high time for Massachusetts to strike this banner and do it proudly.”
The town of Sheffield is among a growing number of municipalities considering a resolution in support of the redesign. Egremont, Granby, and Maynard are also scheduled to vote on similar resolutions this spring. The Edge reached out to the town of Sheffield and members of Indigenous communities for comment, but had not received a response as of publication.
The debate over the Massachusetts flag and seal reflects a broader national conversation about the role of symbols in acknowledging and addressing historical injustices. As the legislative process moves forward, the outcome will likely have significant implications for the Commonwealth’s identity and its relationship with its Indigenous communities. The next step involves public hearings on the proposed designs, after which the legislature will consider a final vote.
What are your thoughts on the proposed changes to the Massachusetts flag and seal? Share your opinions in the comments below.
