FLANDREAU, S.D. — The Flandreau Santee Sioux tribe in South Dakota has recently lifted its ban prohibiting Governor Kristi Noem from accessing their lands. This decision came just days before Noem’s scheduled testimony before a U.S. Senate committee regarding her nomination to lead one of the largest agencies within the federal government.
The governor was barred from entering significant tribal territories in the state after making statements that tribal leaders were allegedly accommodating drug cartels on their reservations. Upon releasing their new statement, the Flandreau Santee Sioux tribe expressed their decision to revoke the ban, indicating their support towards her nomination by then-President-elect Donald Trump for the position of secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
The tribe’s official statement included an apology from Noem, acknowledging that prior misunderstandings had been complicated by misinformation. “Since our initial meeting, the Governor has demonstrated her commitment to ensuring the safety of all South Dakotans, including the members of the nine Tribal Nations that share borders with the state,” the press release stated.
Noem was not the only official dealing with a ban last year; several other tribes in South Dakota also imposed restrictions on her presence. In an effort to clarify the situation, the Associated Press reached out to the remaining eight tribes to inquire about their positions concerning Noem.
During a recent address to the South Dakota Legislature, J. Garrett Renville, chairman of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, highlighted the wave of distrust that has developed between the state and tribal nations, mentioning the controversy surrounding Noem’s prior comments as a key factor. However, Renville called for a restoration of relationships, suggesting, “Today, let’s reset. Today, let’s rebuild. Today, let’s start to listen and actually hear.”
Noem has been nominated to lead an agency that will play a crucial role in the administration’s agenda to tighten border security and execute extensive deportation initiatives. She is set to appear before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, with her hearing rearranged from Wednesday to the upcoming Friday.
This article has been updated to clarify that the Flandreau Santee Sioux tribe’s statement was released on Wednesday, not Tuesday.
