Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) has been banned from some 10% of South Dakota, the state she governs.
On Tuesday, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council voted to ban Noem from areas under its control. Combined with bans from the Oglala Sioux Tribe in February and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe last week, the Republican governor is now banned from about one-tenth of the state, according to the Daily Beast.
The banishment came in response to remarks Noem made about the Native Americans of the state, accusing tribal leaders of not doing enough to expunge the influence of drug cartels.
“Governor Kristi Noem’s wild and irresponsible attempt to connect tribal leaders and parents with Mexican drug cartels is a sad reflection of her fear-based politics that do nothing to bring people together to solve problems,” SRST Chairwoman Janet Alkire said in a press release. “Rather than make uninformed and unsubstantiated claims, Noem should work with tribal leaders to increase funding and resources for tribal law enforcement and education.”
The director of the Lakota People’s Law Project, which says on its website that it “works closely with tribal nations and nonprofit compatriots to amplify Indigenous voices” and “provides on-the-ground support when and where it is needed most,” said Noem is “prohibited from entering sovereign territory of Sioux bands.”
Noem is also “subject to detention and/or removal if she violates banishment orders, meaning the state’s governor is barred from entering more than 10 percent of all land her state claims is within its ‘borders,’” Chase Iron Eyes said.
Noem spokeswoman Amelia Joy said banishing the governor “does nothing to solve the problem.”
“She calls on all our tribal leaders to banish the cartels from tribal lands,” Joy added.
Last week, CRST Chairman Ryman LeBeau accused the governor of weaponizing the border crisis in an attempt to be former President Donald Trump’s running mate.
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“The South Dakota Governor speaks gossip and lies about our Lakota students, their parents, and our Tribal Councils. SD Governor’s statements made on March 13th, 2024, perpetuate stereotypes, misconceptions, which are inaccurate and untrue,” he said in a statement. “According to her Christianity, gossip is a sinful act. As South Dakota’s Governor she does not know or understand our issues or successes of our Reservation schools and communities. The Governor is out of touch and auditioning for Trump’s vice president for her own personal political gain.”
In addition to the banishments, several other tribes have demanded an apology from Noem.
