GOP South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem Is Now Banned From All Nine Tribal Lands In Her State

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) has now been banned from the territories of all nine tribes in her state.

In February, the Oglala Sioux tribe banned Noem from the Pine Ridge Reservation after she stated she wanted to send razor wire and security personnel to Texas to help keep migrants out of the U.S. She also said that cartels were infiltrating this state’s reservations.

The tribe’s president, Frank Star Comes Out, replied to the GOP South Dakota governor’s remarks in a statement addressed to her.

In response to her comments linking tribal leaders to Mexican drug cartels, three more tribes banned her – the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

In early May, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe, the fifth tribe that banned the governor located in the northeast part of South Dakota, decided to ban her as a result of statements and actions by Noem, which the tribe labeled as “injurious to the parents of tribal children.”

The vote to ban Noem from the sixth tribe, the Yankton Sioux Tribe in southeastern South Dakota, has not been made official.

On May 21, the governor was banished by the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, the final tribe to do so over her comments accusing Native Americans of working with Mexican cartels and of ignoring their children’s education.

The tribe issued a readout from its president Tony Reider’s meeting with Noem ahead of the vote. The meeting had been “contentious at times, as some members vocalized their opposition.” 

After that, Reider set up a “respectful and productive” meeting with the governor’s office on May 20. 

“President Reider informed the governor that a ban from our territories is imminent and requested that the governor refrain from making future blanket statements that offend the tribes within the boundaries of the State of South Dakota, some of which depend on state services for the needs of their people,” the readout mentioned. 

“It was recommended that the governor clarify her statements and issue an apology to all tribal nations for the misunderstanding,” it stated. “Until such a time, the Executive Council and the people of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe stand with our fellow nations.”

The outlet also mentioned that several members of FSST allegedly implored their leaders to ban Noem and said they were “uncomfortable and upset” that she was still not banished from their reservation despite having been banned by the other tribes.

The tribe’s official announcement included a statement from Noem.

“It was never [her] intent to offend by speaking truth to the real challenges that are being faced in some areas of Indian country,” she declared. “I want to focus on solutions that lead to safer communities for all our families, better educational outcomes for all our children and declining addiction numbers for all of our people.”

“It is my hope that the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe will give us the opportunity to partner together in a way that can be an example for all,” the governor continued. “Banishing me does nothing to solve this problem or to help those who are suffering horrific tragedies.”

In a statement delivered to CNN, Noem did not directly address the ban but stated that she hoped to work with tribal leaders in the future.

“I only want to speak truth to the real challenges that are being faced in some areas of Indian Country,” she declared. “I want to focus on solutions that lead to safer communities for all our families, educational outcomes for all our children and declining addiction numbers for all our people.”

“We cannot tackle these issues without addressing the problem: dangerous criminals who perpetuate violence and illegal activities in all areas of our state,” she stated. “We need to take action. It is my hope tribal leadership will take the opportunity to work with me to be an example of how cooperation is better for all people rather than political attacks.”

Noem has had a rough month. She has been widely criticized for including a story in her new memoir about killing her dog, Cricket.