In a significant rebuke, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been banished from territories belonging to two major Native American tribes following her contentious remarks.
The Daily Caller reported that earlier this year, Governor Noem made comments implicating tribal leaders in collusion with drug cartels and neglect of their communities. These remarks sparked a series of bans from various tribes across South Dakota, starting with the Yankton Sioux Tribe and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate.
The bans came after a detailed accusation by Noem in March 2024, wherein she claimed some tribal leaders were personally benefiting from drug cartels, igniting a strong reaction across the native communities.
Following Noem's allegations, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate tribe quickly convened and decided to ban the governor from entering their land. This move was closely followed by the Yankton Sioux Tribe, who held a special meeting and vote on the matter.
This isn't isolated; six out of South Dakota's nine tribes have now officially barred Governor Noem from their territories. These bans collectively cover a significant portion of the state's land area, roughly 20%.
The response from the tribes reflects a growing dissatisfaction with Noem's handling of issues pertinent to Native American communities, particularly her comments on drug-related issues within these territories.
Despite the increasing bans, Governor Noem has maintained that she still receives support from some residents within the reservations.
She argues that she intends to combat the influence of drug cartels within tribal lands and has reached out through social media urging tribal leaders to join her efforts.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, Noem reiterated her stance on May 9, 2024, emphasizing her readiness to assist tribal communities in expelling cartel activities and restoring law and order.
Noem's office, however, has remained silent with no further comments following the latest banishment announcement by the Yankton Sioux Tribe.
The implications of these bans extend beyond the immediate logistical challenges they pose for Governor Noem.
Political observers have noted that these events could significantly impact her relations with Native American communities, potentially influencing her political future.
Cal Jilson, a political observer, commented on the situation, suggesting that Governor Noem may not mind the focus on her disputes with the tribes as it shifts attention away from other controversies, such as the one involving the killing of her hunting dog, detailed in her recent book.
"I’m sure that Gov. Noem doesn’t mind a focus on tensions with the Native Americans in South Dakota because if we’re not talking about that, we’re talking about her shooting the dog," stated Jilson.
In summary, Governor Kristi Noem's contentious remarks about tribal leadership and drug cartels have led to a significant portion of South Dakota's native tribes restricting her access to their lands. These bans not only signify a protest against her comments but also underscore deeper issues of trust and cooperation between state leadership and Native American communities.
As these events continue to unfold, the dialogue between Governor Noem and the tribal nations remains crucial in addressing the challenges facing these communities, particularly in combating the menace of drug cartels and ensuring effective governance.
