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.
