S.D. Gov. Kristi Noem is banned from entering one-fifth of her own state

In a significant escalation of tensions between state leadership and tribal authorities, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has been prohibited from entering territories belonging to several tribes, constituting nearly 20% of the state’s land area. 

The recent prohibitions were enacted by the Yankton Sioux Tribe and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe, following similar actions from the Oglala, Rosebud, Cheyenne River and Standing Rock Sioux tribes.

The measures spotlight the growing rift between the Republican governor’s office and tribal nations in South Dakota, exacerbated by Ms. Noem’s comments suggesting that tribal leaders were complicit with drug cartels to the detriment of their communities’ welfare.

The governor addressed the issue in a Thursday post on X, which included a link to a YouTube channel that features law enforcement’s videos about rampant drug use on the reservations.

“Tribal leaders should take action to ban the cartels from their lands and accept my offer to help them restore law and order to their communities while protecting their sovereignty,” Ms. Noem said. “We can only do this through partnerships because the Biden Administration is failing to do their job.”

The controversy follows on the heels of another dispute stemming from an anecdote shared by Ms. Noem in her latest book that has sparked backlash for its portrayal of animal cruelty. The cumulative effect of the controversies on her political future remains uncertain, particularly in light of speculation about her prospects as a potential vice-presidential candidate for former President Donald Trump.

The issue began in March, after Ms. Noem’ criticized tribal leaders for facilitating drug cartel operations on reservations — while allegedly overlooking critical social issues such as child welfare and poverty. The comment have ignited a fierce debate about the relationship between the state and tribal nations.

“We’ve got some tribal leaders that I believe are personally benefiting from the cartels being there, and that’s why they attack me every day,” Ms. Noem said at an election forum. “But I’m going to fight for the people who actually live in those situations, who call me and text me every day and say, ’Please, dear governor, please come help us in Pine Ridge. We are scared.’”