A third Native American tribe has prohibited South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem from visiting their reservation in response to her allegations that Mexican drug cartels are involved in criminal activities on Indigenous land in her state.
In a news release on Wednesday, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe made an announcement that they have voted to banish Noem. This decision comes after the tribe’s chairwoman, Janet Alkire, publicly criticized Noem’s comments on social media. Alkire stated that the governor’s attempt to link tribal leaders and parents with Mexican drug cartels is a reflection of her fear-based politics, which she deemed as wild and irresponsible.
Noem, who is known for her close ties to former President Donald Trump, faced repercussions earlier this year when she made a statement during a speech before the South Dakota Legislature. She mentioned that specific drug cartels have managed to recruit tribal members to participate in their illegal activities. This led to her being banned from two Indigenous reservations.
During a town hall in March, she restated her claims, alleging that certain Native American leaders were personally benefiting from Mexican cartels within their territory. She further asserted that children residing on these reservations lacked parental support.
The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Council, headquartered in South Dakota, banished Noem on April 2, while the Oglala Sioux Tribe, also based in South Dakota, had already done so in February. It is worth noting that the Standing Rock reservation extends across both North Dakota and South Dakota.
Alkire, in her statement shared on March 22 on Standing Rock’s X account, urged Noem to collaborate with tribal leaders in order to enhance funding and resources for tribal law enforcement and education. Instead of making baseless claims, Alkire emphasized the need for constructive cooperation.
Noem, a prominent Republican figure in the effort to reduce immigration along the U.S.-Mexico border, recently addressed attempts to remove her from tribal land. In a video statement to X last week, she defended her remarks about drug cartel involvement on South Dakota’s reservations, asserting that they were accurate.
South Dakota is plagued by dangerous cartels that are responsible for drug addiction, murder, rape, human trafficking, and numerous other crimes, as stated by Noem. In response to this alarming situation, Noem urged tribal leaders to take action by expelling these cartels from their lands. However, instead of heeding her call, some tribal leaders have chosen to banish her. Unfortunately, this approach fails to address the root of the problem and does not contribute to the resolution of the issues at hand.
According to a report by NBC News in February, certain Mexican drug cartels have established alliances with Native American tribes in Montana to aid their illicit drug activities within the state. The report, based on information provided by law enforcement officials and tribal leaders, highlights that Indigenous women are often targeted by cartel members. Once a relationship is formed, these associates utilize the women’s homes as operational bases for their criminal activities.
Jeffrey Stiffarm, president of the Assiniboine (Nakoda) and Gros Ventre (Aaniih) Nations of the Fort Belknap Indian Community in northern Montana, expressed his concerns about drug cartels deliberately targeting Indian country during a hearing before the House Committee on Natural Resources. Stiffarm emphasized that this unfortunate situation arises due to a dangerous mix of factors, including the remote rural terrain, a history of addiction, and a lack of sufficient law enforcement resources.
During his opening statements, Stiffarm made it clear that he holds the federal government responsible for the drug cartel crisis. He emphasized that the FBI only takes action on the reservation when there is a death or serious crime. Stiffarm also revealed that a tribal leader from Montana refused to testify before the House committee due to receiving death threats from cartel members.
“Tribal leaders must take immediate action to expel the Mexican drug cartels, which are responsible for a myriad of crimes including murder, rape, drug addiction, and more, from tribal lands,” stated Noem in an interview with Newsweek. She emphasized that the people in these communities endure unimaginable horrors and tragedies on a daily basis, and simply removing her for speaking the truth about their suffering does not address the underlying issues.
According to her, “It may resonate with the leftist media, but in reality, it serves no purpose.”
On Friday, Standing Rock was contacted by Newsweek via email for comment.
Governor Noem’s office unveiled a new initiative on Thursday aimed at addressing the significant shortage of law enforcement officers on Indigenous land. The initiative focuses on providing training to tribal law enforcement officers to enhance their capabilities and ensure better safety and security for the communities they serve.
South Dakota Governor, Kristi Noem, expressed her concern about the impact of the lack of law enforcement officers on all nine reservations in the state. In a joint statement with the state Attorney General Marty Jackley, she stated that they are taking proactive measures to address this issue by prioritizing the training of more officers as quickly as possible.
South Dakota officials, Attorney General Marty Jackley and Governor Kristi Noem, have announced plans to establish a new law enforcement training program within the state. In a letter to Algin Young, the police chief of Oglala Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, Jackley and Noem stated that the program will be conducted in South Dakota this summer. Currently, aspiring law enforcement officers undergo a 13-week training program in New Mexico.
The letter concluded by expressing enthusiasm for collaborating with you to seize this historic opportunity and deliver much-needed law enforcement services to communities in South Dakota.
