The Oglala Sioux Tribe, South Dakota’s largest, has officially banished Gov. Kristi Noem from its territories, escalating tensions over her comments on crime and illegal immigration on reservations. In a controversial statement on Jan. 31, Gov. Noem linked the surge in crime within the state, including on tribal lands, to illegal immigration.
“The drugs and human trafficking pouring over the border devastate our people,” Noem said.
She claimed that cartels are operating on tribal reservations, particularly citing the Pine Ridge Reservation and Rapid City as areas affected by cartel-related murders and gang affiliations, including a group known as the Ghost Dancers.
The tribe’s response came in a detailed four-page letter from Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out, who criticized Noem’s characterization of the border situation as an “invasion” and expressed “deep offense” at the association of the sacred Ghost Dancers ceremony with criminal activities.
“Drug and human trafficking are occurring throughout South Dakota, and surrounding states, not just on Indian reservations,” Star Comes Out stated, emphasizing that the issue was not exclusive to tribal lands.
Following the comments, Star Comes Out announced the banishment of Gov. Noem from the Oglala Sioux homelands, citing the need for the safety of the Oyate, the people of the tribe.
Gov. Noem responded to the tribe’s actions on Feb. 1, defending her statements and her commitment to addressing crime and building relationships with the tribes.
“I did speak truth and everything I said was absolutely true,” Noem said, emphasizing her ongoing efforts to secure resources for tribal areas, including law enforcement, education, and infrastructure.
The Pine Ridge Reservation has faced a growing crime rate, prompting Star Comes Out to declare a state of emergency in November 2023 due to insufficient law enforcement.
The Associated Press reports that the reservation, spanning 5,400 square miles, is patrolled by just 33 officers and eight criminal investigators who handle over 100,000 emergency calls annually.
The tribe’s legal battle against the U.S. government to fulfill treaty obligations for security has seen some success, with a federal judge ruling in favor of the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s demand for more law enforcement funding. However, the exact amount of funding remains to be determined.
Despite the banishment, Noem has expressed her willingness to support the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s efforts to negotiate with the federal government for additional resources. She also highlighted her actions to support border security, including deploying South Dakota National Guard troops to the border and backing Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s border measures.
“Governor Abbott has done the exact right thing,” Noem told Fox News. “I’ll drive him more razor wire from South Dakota if I have to for him to do his job. What people forget is that governors are commanders in chief. We’re responsible for the men and women of our National Guard.”
Critics, including Star Comes Out, suggest Noem’s focus on the border issue is politically motivated, aimed at supporting Donald Trump’s reelection bid and boosting her own vice-presidential prospects.
