On May 15, it was reported that Governor Kristi Noem has been banned from the reservation of a seventh Native American tribe in South Dakota. The ban comes as a response to comments made by the governor earlier this year, where she alleged that tribal leaders benefit from drug cartels.
The Republican governor has been unanimously banned by the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe in central South Dakota, as confirmed on Tuesday.
“After Tuesday’s vote, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe chairman Peter Lengkeek emphasized that cartels do not exist on the reservations.”
Lengkeek expressed his frustration, stating, “We have cartel products, like guns and drugs, that pass over state highways to reach the reservation.” He emphasized that grouping all tribes together and assuming their involvement in such activities demonstrates the ignorance of the governor’s office.
The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe has become the seventh tribe out of nine to prohibit the governor from entering their reservations, which account for 20% of the land in South Dakota. This move aligns them with other tribes such as the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribe, and Yankton Sioux Tribe.
According to Ryan Cournoyer, a council member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe, when there is mutual respect between the state and the tribe, both parties can prosper. He emphasizes that the tribes should not be associated with cartel activities, and the people should not be seen as a threat to other communities. Cournoyer highlights the desires of the tribe’s parents for a brighter future for their children, as well as the tribe’s leaders’ aspirations for economic growth and optimism.
The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe recently made the decision not to ban Noem from their reservation. However, they have announced that they are now reevaluating this decision.
Lower Brule Sioux Tribe chairman Clyde Estes expressed concern about the hurtful remarks that are often directed towards their community, particularly their children.
The latest tribe to ban Noem has not received any comment from the governor’s office. However, Noem has reiterated her claims and expressed her willingness to provide assistance earlier this month.
“Tribal leaders have a responsibility to take decisive action in order to prohibit the cartels from operating within their territories. They should also consider accepting my offer to assist them in restoring law and order within their communities, all while safeguarding their sovereignty,” expressed Noem in a post published on X. She further highlighted the significance of forming partnerships, as she believes that the current administration under Biden has been ineffective in fulfilling their duty.”
Earlier this month, Noem, a potential running mate for former President Donald Trump, faced cancellation of a fundraiser by Republican Party officials in Colorado’s Jefferson County. The cancellation was a result of reported death threats received by the officials.
Kristi Noem, author of No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward, has been under intense scrutiny for her controversial statement about shooting a young dog she deemed dangerous. Criticism has come from both Republicans and Democrats alike.
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