Fourth Tribe Bans South Dakota’s GOP Gov. Kristi Noem From Entering Its Territory

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe joined three other Lakota tribes in banning Gov. Kristi Noem (R).

The tribal council issued a statement that cited a series of allegations by Noem in the past few weeks as the reason for her banishment. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s decision to ban Noem aligns with the Oglala Sioux, Cheyenne River Sioux and Standing Rock Sioux Tribes.

The council’s press release expressed its disappointment with Noem’s actions as governor. “Governor Noem claims she wants to establish meaningful relationships with Tribes to provide solutions for systemic problems,” it said. “However, her actions as Governor blatantly show otherwise.”

The statement continued, “Her disingenuous nature towards Native Americans to further her federal political ambitions is an attack on Tribal sovereignty that the Rosebud Sioux Tribe will not tolerate.”

As a result, the tribal council stated that they would only recognize Noem if she issued a public apology to the Oceti Sakowin and presented a comprehensive plan for supporting and empowering the Lakota people through policy and legislation.

The concerns raised by the four Lakota nations that have banned Noem share common themes. They include her recent statements about cartel presence, education, and parenting on reservations. However, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s tribal council emphasized that longstanding issues also influenced their decision since Noem assumed office in 2019.

The tribal council specifically mentioned Noem’s support for the Keystone XL Pipeline in 2019, her endorsement of increased penalties for pipeline protestors, opposition to Covid-19 checkpoints in the Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River Reservations, removal of teaching standards related to Native American history, legal threats against the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe about their medical cannabis operations, the return of unused Emergency Rental Assistance funds in 2022 without consulting tribes and a delayed response to a winter storm in 2022 that resulted in the loss of four Rosebud Sioux Tribe citizens’ lives.

In response to Noem’s remarks about cartel presence on reservations on January 31, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe had previously requested the removal of their tribal flag from the South Dakota state Capitol. The press release noted that Noem has refused to return the flag and has consistently disregarded their concerns. State Communications Director Ian Fury had previously criticized the banishments from tribal nations, deemed them “counterproductive,” and encouraged tribal leaders to focus on combating cartels.

Shortly before the Rosebud Sioux Tribe banned Noem, she and South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley (R) announced a new program to address the lack of law enforcement on reservations. The program would enable potential tribal law enforcement officers to receive training in Pierre, South Dakota, instead of New Mexico’s Indian Police Academy.

Noem was recently criticized for an odd video posted to social media showing her undergoing a dental procedure.

The governor is frequently mentioned as one of the top contenders for Donald Trump‘s vice presidential running mate.