Since the beginning of 2024, Kristi Noem has been involved in several controversies. This controversies ranges from her dog-killing incident to her statement equating tribal leaders to cartel leaders. The latter seemed to have angered the Native American community, who took action to express their displeasure.
Kristi Noem, 52 years old, is the current South Dakota governor. In 2018, she was elected to office for the first time. She was re-elected in 2022 for a second term. She is also the state’s first female governor. Noem had previously served in the state legislature from 2011 to 2019. In February 2024, Trump shortlisted her as a potential running mate.
In April 2024, a total of four tribes banned Noem from their lands. 20% of the state had banned her by May 2024. However, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, the remaining three tribes banded together to ban her from their lands.
A series of statements Noem made against the Native American leader sparked this ban. During her speech on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, Noem accused the leader of being in league with cartel leaders in Mexico. She also accused them of abandoning and not properly caring for their children. On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, Noem asserted her claims that tribal chiefs were personally profiting from the cartel.
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The remaining three tribes have officially banned Noem from all nine reservations. The final tribe, the Flandreu tribe, decided in solidarity with the other tribes, to collectively uniformize their decision.
Tyler Rambeau is the executive administrative assistant of the FSST Homeowners Assistance Fund. Rambea responded that the tribal community wanted to carry out the decisions.
He further added that the tribe felt the need to stand with its fellow members in other tribes. He also said the tribe did not want to be on the wrong side of history regarding the issue.
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The tribe’s official statement included a reference to Noem’s earlier defense on the matter. She had insisted that it was never her intention to offend anyone. Although she claimed to be telling the truth concerning the challenges faced by the Native American community.
She added that she wants to find a way to ensure safer living conditions for residents of the reservation. She spoke about improving the educational outcomes of young individuals while lowering addiction rates in the community.
On Friday, May 10, 2024, the Yankton tribe voted to ban the governor officially from its lands. The council voted unanimously.
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The Standing Rock, Crow Creek, Rosebud, Cheyenne River, Oglala, and Lower Brule Sioux tribes all approved comparable legislation earlier in the year, while the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate tribes voted earlier in May.
Noem, along with some South Dakota officials, have announced new methods for tribal law enforcement over the past few months. Additionally, on May 14, 2024, Noem appointed Algin Young, Pine Ridge’s ex-chief of police, as the state tribal law enforcement liaison.
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