South Dakota Tribe Bans Governor Kristi Noem Over Controversial Remarks on Immigration and Cartels
Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota has been banned from the Pine Ridge Reservation by a local tribe after making controversial remarks about immigration and cartels. The Oglala Sioux Tribe, led by President Frank Star Comes Out, issued a statement on Friday declaring Noem banished from their homelands. This decision comes after Noem expressed her desire to send razor wire and security personnel to the U.S.-Mexico border to deter immigration and claimed that cartels were infiltrating the state’s reservations.
The tribal leader, Star Comes Out, accused Noem of using the border issue as a political strategy to help former President Donald Trump get re-elected and enhance her chances of becoming his running mate. He emphasized that many of the people arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border are Indigenous individuals who are seeking better job opportunities and a brighter future for themselves and their families. Star Comes Out condemned the idea of putting these individuals in cages or separating them from their children, referencing the controversial policies implemented during the Trump administration.
Noem’s remarks didn’t stop there. In a speech to lawmakers, she claimed that the Ghost Dancers, a gang affiliated with border-crossing cartels, were responsible for murders on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Star Comes Out expressed deep offense at this statement, stating that the Ghost Dance is one of the Oglala Sioux’s most sacred ceremonies and accusing Noem of using it with blatant disrespect.
Moreover, Star Comes Out highlighted that drug and human trafficking are prevalent throughout South Dakota and neighboring states, not just on Indian reservations. He emphasized that drugs are being spread from various locations, including Denver, directly to reservations, as well as off-reservation cities and towns in South Dakota. He firmly stated that reservations cannot be solely blamed for drugs ending up in major cities within the state.
Star Comes Out asserted that the tribe is a sovereign nation and does not belong to the state of South Dakota. Noem responded to the banishment by expressing her disappointment in Star Comes Out’s decision to bring politics into the discussion. She emphasized her willingness to work together with Native American tribes to find solutions to the issues at hand.
This banishment comes after Star Comes Out declared a state of emergency on the Pine Ridge Reservation due to increasing crime. While a judge ruled last year that the federal government has a treaty duty to support law enforcement on the reservation, the funding level sought by the tribe was not determined.
Noem has previously deployed National Guard troops to the Mexican border three times, joining other Republican governors in addressing what she refers to as a growing border crisis. In 2021, she faced criticism for accepting a $1 million donation from a Republican donor to cover the cost of a two-month deployment of 48 troops.
The conflict between Governor Kristi Noem and the Oglala Sioux Tribe highlights the complex issues surrounding immigration, border security, and drug trafficking. It serves as a reminder of the deep-rooted tensions between Indigenous communities and state governments. The banishment of Noem from the Pine Ridge Reservation reflects the tribe’s determination to protect their homeland and hold accountable those who make inflammatory remarks that disregard their culture and sovereignty. The incident calls for increased dialogue and collaboration between Native American tribes and state officials to address these pressing issues in a respectful and effective manner.
