The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe is reacting to the South Dakota governor showing up to a meeting between tribes and the federal government last week.
The Pine Ridge leader said the Republican governor's actions were a distraction.
Last Friday, Governor Kristi Noem tweeted she felt it was important to show up at a meeting between various South Dakota tribes and the Biden Administration. She said it was an important conversation as they discussed co-stewardship of the Black Hills.
We solve problems by talking to each other. With that in mind, I felt it was important as your Governor to show up at the Pe Sla meeting between various South Dakota tribes and the Biden Administration. They discussed co-stewardship of the Black Hills… I questioned what that… pic.twitter.com/WNJgCKLdTf
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) March 29, 2024
But tribal officials said the meeting was a government-to-government meeting between them and the federal government about Pè Sla—a mini-prairie located in the center of the Black Hills that is considered a sacred site. The meeting was also about other sacred sites in the Black Hills.
Oglala Sioux Tribal President Frank Star Comes Out called Gov. Noem’s appearance a publicity stunt for personal gain.
“She wasn’t on the schedule. She definitely wasn’t invited," Star Comes Out said. “For her to do something like that was not only unprofessional, but it just showed no respect.”
Star Comes Out's criticism is about more than Noem’s appearance at the Pè Sla meeting.
Noem is considered a front runner to join the ticket with GOP front-runner for president, Donald Trump. Noem has alleged Mexican drug cartel activity on several reservations located in South Dakota and is calling for the federal government to audit the tribes.
In a social media post, Noem said they can solve problems by talking. In the post, she reiterated an earlier offer to meet and work together on public safety.
Star Comes Out said working with tribes takes more than that.
“The governor needs to realize we’re a sovereign nation that requires consultation,” Star Comes Out added. “It requires some time to set up for that consultation. She needs to respect tribal nations. We stress that in this administration all the time. I don’t see it happening.”
The Oglala Sioux Tribe recently reiterated its ban on Governor Noem. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe has also banned Noem from its reservation.
