A Native American tribe in South Dakota has taken the decision to ban Gov. Kristi Noem (R) from their reservation. This action was taken in response to comments made by the governor earlier this year, where she suggested that tribal leaders were benefiting from drug cartels.
The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe located in central South Dakota has voted to prohibit Noem from entering its reservation. This decision was made in response to her remarks about the tribe’s involvement with cartels. The tribe officially announced this ban on social media.
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The recent vote has resulted in Noem being banned from visiting six out of the nine reservations in the state. While the Yankton Sioux Tribe, which governs the Yankton Reservation in South Dakota, has not formally implemented a ban on Noem, the tribe’s business and claims committee is in support of such a ban.
“The tribal council and the people unanimously voted to ban her due to her derogatory remarks about the tribes and cartels,” shared Kyle Loudner, a council member from the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. “She also made demeaning comments about the children, suggesting that they would always be considered nobodies because of their parents.”
The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe has been contacted by The Hill for additional comments.
During a forum in March, the governor expressed his belief that certain tribal leaders personally benefit from the presence of cartels, which is why they constantly attack him.
South Dakota Governor, Kristi Noem, expressed her commitment to advocating for the people who are directly affected by the challenging circumstances they face in daily life. She highlighted the pleas she receives from individuals residing in Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, urging her to take action and address their concerns. Governor Noem emphasized the importance of being proactive in assisting those in need and ensuring their safety and well-being.
According to NPR, Peter Lengkeek, the chair of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, has refuted the claim that the tribe harbors cartels on their reservations.
“We deal with cartel products such as guns and drugs, but they are transported through state highways to reach the reservation. Therefore, grouping all tribes together and assuming their involvement in these activities reflects the ignorance of the governor’s office,” he stated, as reported by NPR.
Noem’s spokesperson contended that the tribes’ decision to ban the governor does not effectively address the underlying issue.
According to The Hill, a spokesperson emphasized that removing Governor Noem from office would not address the issue at hand. Instead, the spokesperson urged tribal leaders to take action and expel the cartels from tribal lands.
Tensions between Native American tribes in South Dakota and Noem have been strained since she assumed office in 2019, but her recent remarks have only intensified the animosity.
Noem, who has been considered as a potential running mate for former President Trump, has faced accusations from certain tribes of making decisions to benefit Trump’s campaign efforts.
In regards to Noem, many tribes, including the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, feel that she lacks respect for and a full understanding of tribal sovereignty, according to Alli Moran, spokesperson for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
Despite the bans, Noem stood by her comments and urged tribes to lend their support to her law enforcement initiatives last week.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem wrote a letter urging tribal leaders to take action against cartels operating on their lands. She offered her assistance in restoring law and order to their communities while respecting their sovereignty. According to Noem, this partnership is crucial due to the Biden Administration’s failure to address the issue effectively.
Noem’s political challenges in South Dakota persist as she grapples with ongoing battles against tribes. This adds to a tough period for Noem, who has also faced criticism for sharing an anecdote about the death of her dog in her recently published memoir, titled “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward.”
Governor Noem responded to the criticism by defending her actions, stating that the incident and her decision to share it were a testament to her authenticity and ability to make tough choices.
Many people are now speculating that Noem is no longer being considered for the Trump vice presidential shortlist due to the negative news. However, the former president himself acknowledged that everyone has their bad weeks.
“I really admire Noem. She’s had a few challenging situations, no doubt about it,” Trump expressed during an interview with conservative podcast hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton. “When it comes to the incident with the dog, people might have different perspectives depending on where they’re from, but it’s definitely a difficult story.”
According to the former president, it appeared that Noem was not solely responsible for the contents of the book.
