South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been banned from visiting certain tribal lands in her home state following comments she made linking tribal leaders to drug cartels. Three tribes, including the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, have voted to legally bar Noem from entering their territories, accounting for approximately 10% of the state's lands.
Noem's remarks during community forums insinuated that tribal leaders were profiting from cartels rather than focusing on the well-being of their communities. Despite demands for an apology from multiple tribes, Noem has not backed down from her statements but has instead urged tribes to take action against cartels on tribal lands.
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council criticized Noem's comments as fear-based politics that do not address the real issues faced by tribal communities. They called for collaboration with tribal leaders to enhance funding and resources for law enforcement and education.
Noem's office responded by stating that banning her from tribal lands does not address the underlying problems she highlighted. They emphasized the need for tribal leaders to work together to combat cartel activities on their territories.
In a separate statement, Noem highlighted the impact of Mexican cartels on South Dakota and criticized the federal government for inaction on the issue. She has been vocal about border security concerns and has expressed willingness to support efforts to address illegal migration at the US-Mexico border.
The governor's strong stance on border security has fueled speculation that she may be positioning herself as a potential running mate for former President Donald Trump, who has prioritized border security in his political agenda.
Recently, Noem and South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced a new certification program aimed at training tribal law enforcement officers more efficiently. The initiative seeks to address the shortage of law enforcement personnel in tribal communities and improve public safety across South Dakota's reservations.
