Alaska's State Seal: Time for a Refresh?

Alaska's state seal is old. It's been around for 70 years. But does it really show what Alaska is all about today? State seals are like a state's logo. They show what's important to the state. You see it on ballots, official papers, and even on the walls of the capitol building. Back in the day, the seal had pictures of Indigenous people fishing and hunting. But in 1910, the territorial governor changed it. He took out the Indigenous people and put in pictures of mining, timber, seafood, and farming. That's the seal we still use today. Funny thing, the seal shows a smoking ore smelter, but Alaska doesn't even have one. All the mined ore gets shipped out of state to be smelted. Indigenous people were the first to live in Alaska. Shouldn't they be on the seal? Native art and symbols are some of the most recognized and important images in Alaska. Plus, oil has been a huge part of Alaska's economy for the past 50 years. The current seal doesn't even show oil, which has brought in over $300 billion to the state. Benny Benson designed Alaska's flag in 1927. He was just a kid! His flag was all about hope for the future. The state seal should be like that too. It should show all the people in Alaska and what the state is all about, past, present, and future. With the 70th anniversary of statehood coming up in 2029, maybe it's time for a change. Maybe it's time for a new state seal. What do you think? Should Alaska have a new seal? And if so, what should it look like?

Alaska's State Seal: Time for a Refresh?

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