Update May 10: Keloland's coverage via YouTube:
End update
Update May 8: On Tuesday, Steve Jurrens reported for KXLG in Watertown, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Restricts Governor Kristi Noem’s Access.
The article includes the full text of the resolution and a Facebook video of the SWO tribal council's vote. Jurrens reports:
. . . The resolution cites Governor Noem's statements and actions, which have been injurious towards the parents of tribal children, thus detracting from the value of their education. It also states that Governor Noem's words and actions have undermined the authority and efforts of the Tribal Council of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate in combating the prevailing drug epidemic, thereby affecting the welfare and sovereignty of the Tribal Nation.
The Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate emphasizes that respect for tribal governance, education, and the well-being of its members is paramount, and any actions that undermine these values cannot be tolerated within their lands. The resolution further criticizes Governor Noem's continued comments as irresponsible and counterproductive to tribes' efforts to collaborate with the State of South Dakota for public safety for all communities.
As a result, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate has decided to stand with the tribal nations in South Dakota by restricting and banning Governor Kristi Noem's access to the Trust Lands of the Lake Traverse Reservation until Governor Noem issues a formal and public apology. The apology must acknowledge the grievance caused by her actions and statements towards the parents of tribal children, the education provided to tribal children, and the undermining of the Tribal Council's efforts to combat the drug epidemic. . . .
[End update]
Multiple news sources are reporting that the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate tribal council voted unanimously Tuesday to ban Noem from coming onto the Lake Traverse Reservation here in northeastern South Dakota.
While Noem has been dogged in the media with questions about the cruelty and veracity of her new memoir, No Going Back, the banishment came because of her accusations of cartel activity on reservations. In her address the South Dakota legislature in late January, she specifically named the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate as a hotbed of cartel activity.
My romantic partner, an SWO elder, was flabbergasted at the time, and praised the council's action tonight when we heard the news.
While the tribe hadn't banned the governor earlier, Bluestem had report in early February, SWO Dakota to Governor Noem: don't single out reservations when drugs are a statewide problem. After she persisted in accusations linking tribes to cartels, in March, I reported. Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Chair responds to Noem's latest linking tribes to drug cartels
That willingness to talk reconciliation has changed.
At the Dakota Scout, Austin Goss reports in Gov. Kristi Noem banned by fifth Native American tribe:
While Gov. Kristi Noem continues to fend off heavy scrutiny of her new book on the East Coast, her problems back home with the state’s Indian tribes persist.
The Sisseton-Wahpeton tribal council voted unanimously Tuesday to ban Noem from coming onto the Lake Traverse Reservation, joining a spate of others that opted to do so earlier this year.
Speaking to The Dakota Scout, tribal president J Garret Renville said they heard overwhelming support for the proposal from constituents.
“It came from our people, in response to the governor’s comments in the past,” Renville said, referring to remarks made about crime and drug problems on the state’s reservations. “This came directly from our membership, and as tribal leaders we honor the voice of our people. . . .
“This was definitely about the cartel comments, and her having no real proof to back that up as it related to Sisseton,” Renville continued, emphasizing the immense pressure the council received from constituents to take action. . . .
On April 10, Goss had reported Gov. Kristi Noem spared from banishment on Sisseton, Lower Brule reservations. I was surprised since I'd heard much dissatisfaction about her remarks among tribal members.
At Dakota News Now, there's this in Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe unanimously votes to ban Gov. Noem:
. . .In a statement to Dakota News Now, “As Tribal leaders, it is our duty to honor the voice of our people. Although, it is always a goal to engage in constructive dialogue with our political counterparts at the federal and state level. It is equally important we take actions that protect our values, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment, and preventing further marginalization of tribal nations.”
This is the fifth tribe to ban Noem from tribal land in South Dakota, following the Oglala Sioux Tribe, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
Bluestem will keep an eye out for more news about this developing story.
Photo: The SWO Tribal Headquarters. From Facebook.
Related posts
- Tensions continue between Noem, tribes
- 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
- 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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