it comes to the governor
Seven Native American Tribes in South Dakota Ban Governor Kristi Noem from Reservations
After making controversial remarks about drug trade on reservations, Governor Kristi Noem has been banned from seven Native American reservations in South Dakota. The Associated Press reports that the tribes are reacting to Noem’s comments, which suggest that their reservations are safe havens for drug dealers and that tribal leaders are not taking action.
“Tribal Leaders Personally Benefiting from Cartels,” Says Governor Kristi Noem
At a forum, Noem stated, “We’ve got some tribal leaders that I believe are personally benefiting from the cartels being there, and that’s why they attack me every day.” She also mentioned receiving pleas for help from residents living in these situations.
Rift Between Governor Kristi Noem and South Dakota Tribes Continues to Grow
The tension between Noem and the tribes in her state shows no signs of dissipating. In fact, Noem recently shared a video on social media featuring Chris Hansen from TruBlu investigating the trade of fentanyl on Native American reservations in South Dakota.
Four More Tribes Join the Ban
The Oglala, Rosebud, Cheyenne River, and Standing Rock Sioux tribes had already banned Noem from their reservations. Last week, the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate (SWO) tribe also joined in, bringing the total number of banned reservations to seven. This accounts for nearly 17% of the state’s total area.
Yankton Sioux Tribe Latest to Ban Governor Kristi Noem
The Yankton Sioux Tribe voted on Friday to ban Noem from their land in southeastern South Dakota. With nine tribal reservations in the state, only a few have yet to ban the governor.
History of Conflict Between Governor Kristi Noem and South Dakota Tribes
This is not the first time that Noem has faced backlash from Native American tribes in her state. In 2016, the Dakota Access Pipeline protests at Standing Rock sparked controversy, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem’s decision to set up coronavirus checkpoints at reservation borders caused further tension. She was also temporarily banned from the Oglala Sioux reservation in 2019 after a dispute over protests.
