The Great Seal of the State of Minnesota is the state seal of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Originally adopted in 1858 following Minnesota's statehood, the seal's original version is an adaptation of Minnesota's territorial seal modified by the state's first governor and fur trader, Henry Hastings Sibley. It has been modified several times by the state legislature since 1858, including in 1971 and 1983. The seal's design symbolizes many important aspects to Minnesota's history and culture; such as the growth of industry powered by Saint Anthony Falls, the state's Native American heritage, the importance of industries like lumber and agriculture, and the taming of the wilderness by the state's early pioneers. The seal is prominently featured on the Flag of Minnesota. In recent years, the seal and the flag have prompted backlash and controversy for its perceived depiction of Minnesota and Native Americans. In 2023, the state legislature created a commission to redesign both the seal and the state flag. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)