Opinion: Rethinking Alaska’s state seal for the modern era

This year, Alaska celebrates 70 years since our state constitution was created. And yet the official state seal that was adopted then fails to acknowledge Alaska’s Indigenous identities and all of our state’s resources.

State seals are official symbols used to visually represent a state by featuring images and text meant to resonate with the history, values and identity of the state.

Every time you cast a ballot, or every time an official law or proclamation is issued, the Alaska state seal is on that document. The lieutenant governor is responsible for the official use of the seal. It is found on the walls of the state capitol and legislative offices, but sometimes it seems to be hidden in plain sight.

After Alaska was purchased from Russia, Alaska’s seal featured Indigenous figures fishing and harvesting marine mammals.

And yet in 1910, the territorial governor redesigned the seal, erasing the Alaska Native representation and shifting focus to Alaska’s mining, timber, seafood and agriculture resources.

This is the same seal that represents Alaska today. Fun fact: The mining resource on the seal is represented by a smoking ore smelter. But the only smelter in Alaska is the symbol on the state seal; all mined ore is shipped to smelters Outside.

Indigenous people were the first people and deserve to be acknowledged on the seal. Native cultural symbols and art make up some of the most recognizable and significant visual imagery in our state.

Additionally, 2027 will mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the trans-Alaska pipeline. Oil production has revolutionized Alaska’s economic and sociocultural landscape, bringing over $300 billion in revenue to the state since the pipeline opened.

The current official seal has elements representing the state’s bounty of resources. But Alaska’s oil, the biggest resource bounty for the past 50 years, is not. It should be represented on the seal.

Benny Benson designed Alaska’s flag as part of a territory-wide competition for students in 1927. His new flag represented hope for the future of our beautiful land. Like the flag, our state seal should represent all the people in the state, and Alaska’s past, present and dreams of its future.

To policymakers, educators and tribal leaders: With the 70th anniversary of statehood coming in 2029, maybe it’s time we have another state competition. This time, it will be for our seal.

Dave Norton is an engineer from Anchorage. He is a board member of the Alaska Oil & Gas Historical Society.

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[Related: Anchorage Assembly reveals options for new city seal with Dena’ina designs]

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