South Dakota’s far-right governor, Kristi Noem, is now officially banned by Native American groups from visiting all tribal lands in her home state.
The blanket ban is the latest development in the divisive relationship between Governor Noem and Native American tribes following her controversial comments linking tribal leaders to international drug cartels.
This is just the latest scandal for Noem, who has long been a controversial ally of Donald Trump, but drew ire following a Guardian report about her book revealing that the governor shot and killed her dog and goat in cold blood.
Flandreau-Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota (FSST) voted Tuesday to ban Noem, the last of the state’s nine official Indian tribes, from its property.
According to the Argus Leader, a South Dakota newspaper, several members of the FSST urged leaders to ban Noem from leaving the reservation, even though other tribes have banned her. He said he was “discomforted and upset” that he was not banned from leaving the area. report.
“We need to stand in solidarity with our fellow tribes in South Dakota, the Oceti Shakowin,” Tyler Rambo, executive administrative assistant for the FSST Homeowner Assistance Fund, told The Argus, referring to the Sioux group in the Great Plains region.
“We don’t want to be on the wrong side of history at this point,” he added.
Noem was seen as a possible running mate for Trump in the election, but her portrayal of shooting animals may have hurt her chances. She sparked immediate outrage in March when she claimed tribal leaders were “personally benefiting” from international drug cartels.
“I believe there are tribal leaders who personally benefit from the presence of the cartels, and that’s why they attack me every day,” Noem said. “But I’m going to fight for the people who are actually living in these conditions. They call me every day, they email me, they say, ‘Mr. Governor, please come and help us in Pine Ridge. We’re scared.'”
In another comment, Noem also argued that Indigenous children have a harder time in school because their parents “don’t show up.” Kelland News reported:.
In a statement shared with CNNNoem did not comment directly on the ban, but said she hoped to work with tribal leaders in the future.
“I just want to tell the truth about the real challenges facing some parts of India,” she said.
Several tribes banned Noem earlier this year, accusing her of making controversial statements to garner support for President Trump.
“Our people are being used for her political gain,” said Frank Starr, chairman of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. he told the Associated Press..
