The storyline of indigenous communities and Governor Noem's cartel concerns continues.
On Friday, the South Dakota Searchlight's Mackenzie Huber reports in Gov. Kristi Noem banned from fourth South Dakota reservation:
The Rosebud Sioux Tribe in south-central South Dakota is the fourth tribal nation to ban Gov. Kristi Noem from tribal lands this year.
The Oglala Sioux Tribe banished Noem in February after she spoke to the Legislature alleging Mexican drug cartels have infiltrated reservations. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe banned Noem earlier this month for comments she made at a town hall in Winner, alleging some tribal leaders are “personally benefiting” from cartels. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and Rosebud Sioux Tribe banned Noem this week for her comments and in solidarity.
Five tribes have demanded an apology from Noem since the town hall. She has not issued an apology, but has issued press releases calling on tribes to “banish the cartels.”
Coupled with her calls to banish the cartels, Noem has encouraged tribal governments to participate in partnerships with the South Dakota Highway Patrol to provide temporary law enforcement on reservations, and this week she offered a state law enforcement course for prospective tribal police. She has also called on the federal government to audit funding to the tribes to “determine the scope” of underfunding to the nine tribal nations in South Dakota.
“Tribal leaders should immediately banish the Mexican drug cartels that are responsible for murders, rapes, drug addiction, and many more crimes on tribal lands,” Noem said in an emailed statement to South Dakota Searchlight. “The people in the communities live with unspeakable horrors and tragedy every day, but banishing me for telling the truth about the suffering does nothing to solve the problems. It may play well for the leftist media, but in reality, it’s pointless. The real question you should be asking is: ‘Why won’t tribal leaders banish the Mexican drug cartels who are responsible for this devastation?’”
In a news release announcing the banishment, Rosebud Sioux Tribe officials said the ban is justified not just because of Noem’s recent comments but because of a strained relationship since she took office in 2019.
“Governor Noem claims she wants to establish meaningful relationships with Tribes to improve solutions for systemic problems,” the release said. “However, her actions as Governor blatantly show otherwise. The recent racial disparaging allegations made against Native students, parents, Tribal Councils, and Tribal leaders have led to further division and distrust of Tribal-state relations.”
Examples of Noem’s alleged “disingenuous nature toward Native Americans” during her tenure as governor cited in the news release include:
- Signing two bills into law in 2019 regulating protests over the Keystone XL pipeline. The Oglala Sioux Tribe banned Noem for the first time because of the decision, and a federal judge blocked parts of the laws.
- Challenging the legality of COVID-19 tribal checkpoints at reservation borders during the pandemic.
- Supporting the amendment of social studies standards to remove sections of Native American history in favor of broader coverage of world and American history.
- Returning millions in unused Emergency Rental Assistance funds to the federal government in 2022, resulting in Rosebud not receiving any of the funding.
- Sending belated assistance to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in late 2022 due to a winter storm and state of emergency while Noem sent South Dakota National Guard troops to the U.S. border three times “without hesitation.”
- Proceeding with the construction of a shooting range in Rapid City despite Native American artifacts of cultural significance being found at the site.
- Conducting a “slanderous campaign” against South Dakota tribes and not taking down or returning the Rosebud Sioux Tribe flag from the state Capitol, despite a public request to do so.
“Moving forward, we will only acknowledge Governor Noem after she issues a public apology to the Oceti Sakowin,” the release said, “and presents a plan of action for supporting and empowering the Lakota people through policy and legislation.”
The Oceti Sakowin is the collective term for Lakota, Dakota and Nakota speaking Native Americans, most of whom are located in the Great Plains region of the United States and Canada.
Ian Fury, spokesman for Noem, said the governor’s administration will continue efforts to work with tribes.
“Gov. Noem has consistently shown up, welcomed conversations and offered solutions — and she’ll continue to do that for as long as she’s governor,” Fury told South Dakota Searchlight.
Requests for further comment from Rosebud Tribal President Scott Herman were not returned before this article was published.
Noem also pointed out in an interview this week with KELO-TV that her banishment from Standing Rock Reservation was decided by mostly North Dakota tribal council members rather than South Dakota representatives.
In a guest column published by the Dakota Scout, State Representative Tamara St. John, R-Sisseton, a Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate member who serves as the tribe's archivist, writes in The state of tribal relations - past, present and future:
As a state legislator representing a tribal community, I’m often asked about state-tribal matters. My affiliation as an enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate informs my work in historic preservation and tribal archives, which often involves collaboration with tribal, state, and federal entities. This background offers a unique vantage point, enhancing my understanding of both commonalities and distinctions across the various governments.
For example, tribal politics often mirror state politics in several aspects. Similar political factions exist, and criticisms faced by tribal governments parallel those of state governments, ranging from staunch support all the way to accusations of misconduct. It’s crucial to acknowledge these parallels when forming opinions on issues concerning any of the nine tribes.
However, it’s equally important to recognize the significant differences among tribes, akin to variations between states like South Dakota and Minnesota. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work here, which is why making broad comments or accusations directed at all tribes can be problematic. Each tribe stands as a distinct entity responsible for its own financial accountability, public safety strategies, and law enforcement.
I’ve wondered lately how our tribal law enforcement officers are impacted by the recent headlines. They diligently serve our communities amid substantial challenges, including a shortage of officers and resources caused by lack of support by multiple federal administrations. Yet, they still work to serve their communities and collaborate closely where they can with their local and state counterparts. Which is why I’m thankful the Legislature, our congressional delegation, the attorney general, and our governor are putting in efforts to train tribal law enforcement right here in South Dakota. Such cooperation deserves our unwavering support, particularly in combating drug-related crimes regardless of its origin. We need to remember we are all in this together with a common enemy and division doesn’t serve any of us well . . .
Read the rest of her thoughtful and optimistic column at the Dakota Scout.
Earlier, the Scout had reported South Dakota to open law enforcement training to tribal police and Gov. Kristi Noem spared from banishment on Sisseton, Lower Brule reservations. Austin Goss reported in the latter article:
. . . the second-term governor will still be able to visit the reservations of the Lower Brule Sioux and Sisseton Wahpeton tribes following official considerations recently.
That’s according to multiple sources who spoke with The Dakota Scout about recent votes taken by tribal governments around South Dakota regarding whether Noem should be allowed in Indian Country, following the governor’s repeated assertions that drug cartels are operating there. . . .
. . . The Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Council, which governs the Lake Traverse Reservation, voted Tuesday against a resolution that would have prevented Noem from coming onto the reservation. They joined the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe in a nominal show of support for Noem.
Noem and many of the state’s tribal leaders have been at odds since at least January when the governor delivered a joint address to the Legislature on the state of the U.S.-Mexico border. That’s when Noem alleged that Mexican drug cartels were operating on the state’s reservations, an assertion supported by the Attorney General’s Office, the Department of Public Safety, and some tribal leaders. The Oglala Sioux Tribe was the first to proclaim Noem was banished from its territory. . . .
Read the rest at the Dakota Scout.
I'm certain this story will continue to develop, as the saying goes.
The South Dakota Searchlight article is republished online under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Photo: Governor Noem as she talks about tribal leaders "personally benefitting from the cartels being here." From a Facebook Watch video.
- News update on Noem's pairing reservations, tribal leaders with cartels; Rep. St. John's reply
- Noem calls for audit of tribes; ICT News/Rapid City Journal reporter finds the receipts
- Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Chair responds to Noem's latest linking tribes to drug cartels
- Malice: she's on it. Tribal leaders insulted after Governor Noem claims they "are personally benefiting from the cartels being here
- In Winner, Noem links tribal leaders to cartels
- SWO Dakota to Governor Noem: don't single out reservations when drugs are a statewide problem
- Noem banned from Pine Ridge Reservation over remarks in border speech to state legislature
- Explaining and gaining? Noem concedes Texas costs were gift to Lone Star state; meets with two South Dakota House tribal members
- Drug cartels have infiltrated reservations, Noem says, but some tribal voices call speech ‘political’
- Noem to address Legislature on ‘potential South Dakota response’ to Mexico border situation
- No word on who paid or if she packed razor wire: Noem travels again to Texas-Mexico border
- South Dakota Searchlight: Tribal leaders urge legislators to support reestablishment of Lake Traverse Reservation boundaries
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