Kristi Noem - Cartel Presence on Native American Tribal Land Reservations in the U.S. Sparks Concern for DHS Sec.
- 17GEN4
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The controversy began in early 2024 when South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, amid her vocal advocacy for stricter border security during the Biden administration, started linking national immigration issues directly to drug problems on the state's nine federally recognized Native American reservations. These reservations—home to the Oglala Sioux, Rosebud Sioux, Standing Rock Sioux, Cheyenne River Sioux, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, Yankton Sioux, Crow Creek Sioux, Flandreau Santee Sioux, and Lower Brule Sioux—cover approximately 12-20% of South Dakota's land (about 8 million acres with a combined population of nearly 50,000). Noem's comments framed reservations as "safe havens" for Mexican drug cartels, exploiting what she described as federal jurisdiction gaps and lax enforcement under President Biden.
January 31, 2024: During an emergency joint session of the South Dakota Legislature, Noem warned of an "invasion" at the southern border and stated, "The cartels are perpetrating violence in each of our states, even here in South Dakota." She narrowed her focus to reservations, claiming cartels were fueling drug flows into the state.
This marked the first public tie-in, prompted by her recent border visit with Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
February 1, 2024: In a Newsmax interview, Noem escalated, asserting that cartels had "set up shop" on reservations because "the federal government has jurisdiction over those lands and [the Biden administration] is letting it happen."
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The Oglala Sioux Tribe responded swiftly, banning her from the Pine Ridge Reservation (the second-largest in the U.S. by area) on February 2, citing her remarks as "fear-mongering" and an attack on tribal sovereignty.
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March 27, 2024: At a town hall in Winner, South Dakota, Noem made her most inflammatory statements: "We’ve got some tribal leaders that I believe are personally benefiting from [cartels] being there... That’s why they attack me every day." She added that Native children "don’t have much hope on these reservations," blaming "absent parents" and cartel influence for issues like addiction and violence.
These comments were recorded and widely shared, drawing immediate backlash for stereotyping Indigenous families and undermining tribal authority.
April 2024: Noem doubled down in statements and interviews. On April 5, she released a letter claiming cartels "instigate drug addiction, murder, rape, [and] human trafficking" on reservations and called for state-tribal law enforcement partnerships.
The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe banned her on April 2 after an uninvited appearance at a tribal meeting, followed by the Rosebud Sioux (April 11) and Standing Rock Sioux (April 12), citing her "slanderous campaign."
By mid-April, four tribes had acted, barring her from over 14% of the state.
May 2024: The bans accelerated. The Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (May 10), Yankton Sioux (May 13), Crow Creek Sioux (May 14), and Lower Brule Sioux (May 15) followed suit.
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On May 17, Noem held a 51-minute press conference in Pierre, presenting what she called "evidence"—including undated photos of alleged cartel affiliates, overdose statistics, and a case of immigrants hiding on Pine Ridge after trafficking drugs.
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She claimed tribes were using reservations as "havens" for distribution and reiterated that leaders were profiting, without naming individuals. She also shared a video compilation of bipartisan voices (e.g., Montana Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat) acknowledging cartel issues in Indian Country.
The Flandreau Santee Sioux became the ninth and final tribe to ban her on May 21, completing the sweep and barring her from nearly 20% of the state.
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Violations could result in trespassing charges under tribal law.
Key Claims by Noem and Her "Evidence"
Noem positioned her rhetoric as a call to action, tying it to her border visits (e.g., with Texas officials) and broader conservative critiques of federal policy. She argued that open borders under Biden enabled cartels to infiltrate non-border states like South Dakota, where reservations' federal status allegedly created enforcement blind spots.
Claim | Details from Noem | Supporting "Evidence" Presented |
Cartel Presence on Reservations | Cartels use reservations as "safe havens" for drug/human trafficking due to limited state access. | - April 17 X post: Cited a case of Salvadoran/Guatemalan nationals trafficking meth/fentanyl/heroin, hiding on Pine Ridge, kidnapping an FBI agent, and stealing his car (federal sentencing in 2024). - May 17 press conference: Shared photos of "known affiliates," overdose data (e.g., 80+ meth/fentanyl deaths on reservations in 2023), and school drug incidents. |
Tribal Leaders Benefiting | Some leaders "personally benefit" from cartels, explaining attacks on her. | No specific names or documents; implied via "testimonies" from unnamed sources. She claimed to have "proof" but deferred full release. |
Impact on Native Children | Children "don't have hope" due to drugs, violence, and "absent parents" prioritizing cartels. | Linked to rising overdoses/crimes; urged more tribal law enforcement funding (e.g., a new state certification program for officers). |
Noem offered olive branches, like a free law enforcement training course and a May 22 summit, while urging tribes to "banish the cartels" instead of her.
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She blamed media undercoverage in a May 17 X post, promoting journalist Chris Hansen's investigation into cartel affiliates.
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Tribal Responses and Broader Context
Tribal leaders universally condemned Noem's words as "harmful stereotypes," "false information," and an erosion of sovereignty—reservations are governed by federal and tribal law, not the state.
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They argued her rhetoric distracted from root causes like underfunded federal services (e.g., Bureau of Indian Affairs policing shortages) and historical traumas, while ignoring collaborative efforts like tribal-federal task forces.
Oglala Sioux Chairman Frank Star Comes Out: Called it a "desperate attempt to justify her incompetence" on border issues; emphasized cartels operate statewide, not just reservations.
Rosebud Sioux President Scott Weston: "Her comments are not only disrespectful but dangerous," linking bans to years of tensions (e.g., Keystone XL pipeline support, COVID checkpoint disputes, diluted Native history in schools).
Crow Creek Sioux Chairman Peter Lengkeek: Little debate in council vote; saw it as solidarity against "blanket statements that offend."
Flandreau Santee Sioux: Voted in "solidarity" with other Oceti Sakowin (Sioux) nations, despite some internal discomfort with prior inaction.
The DEA's 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment confirms cartel presence in all 50 states, but rates South Dakota low compared to border states or neighbors like Minnesota.
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Tribes noted drug issues are real but not cartel-dominated, and Noem's claims echoed right-wing talking points using Natives as "props."
Public reaction was polarized: Supporters praised her "tough talk" (e.g., X posts amplifying her videos garnered thousands of likes), while critics, including Lakota Law Project's Chase Iron Eyes, quipped she was now an "illegal" on 14% of her state.
Media coverage highlighted irony, given Noem's VP speculation for Trump.
Updates Since May 2024
The bans held through the 2024 election cycle, with Noem's rhetoric fading amid her memoir scandal (e.g., the dog-killing story). As of October 30, 2025, eight tribes maintain the bans, per the latest reports—no widespread lifts noted beyond one exception.
January 2025: Ahead of her U.S. Senate confirmation hearing for Homeland Security Secretary (nominated by President Trump in late 2024 and confirmed in early 2025), the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe lifted its ban on January 15. In a statement, they expressed support for her nomination and dissolved the order, citing a desire for collaboration on federal issues. Tribal Chair Robbie Mannion noted an apology from Noem helped, though details were private.
This reduced barred land to about 17% of the state but signaled potential thawing with at least one group.
Ongoing Tensions: Other tribes, like the Oglala Sioux, reaffirmed bans in spring 2025, tying them to Noem's unapologetic stance and past grievances (e.g., 2021 education standards changes removing Native history).
In her new role, Noem has pivoted to national border enforcement but occasionally references "Indian Country" in speeches, drawing cautious tribal monitoring. No major reconciliations reported by late 2025, though her office claims ongoing outreach for law enforcement partnerships.
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Kristi Lynn Noem (née Arnold) is an American Republican politician born on November 30, 1971, in Watertown, South Dakota. She grew up on her family's ranch and farm in the small town of Hazel, South Dakota, where she developed an early interest in agriculture and business. Noem attended South Dakota State University, studying political science and journalism, though she did not complete her degree until 2015 while serving in Congress.
Her political career began in local government as a Hamlin County Commissioner from 2007 to 2011. She then served as South Dakota's at-large representative in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019, becoming the first female member of Congress from the state. In 2018, she was elected governor of South Dakota, taking office in 2019 and winning re-election in 2022. During her governorship, she gained national attention for her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic (opposing many restrictions), her support for former President Donald Trump, and her advocacy for conservative policies on issues like gun rights and abortion.
As of January 2025, Noem was appointed by President Trump as the 8th U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, a role she has held since early in his second term. She is also a rancher, author (her 2022 memoir Not My First Rodeo details her life and political journey), and a potential figure in national Republican politics, having been floated as a vice-presidential contender in 2024.
Noem is married to Bryon Noem, with whom she has three children. Her public persona often emphasizes her rural, Midwestern roots and self-made ethos.
Her Native American Heritage
Kristi Noem does not have personal Native American heritage. Public records, including her official biography and Wikipedia entry, describe her ancestry as Norwegian, tracing back to her parents, Ron and Corinne Arnold, who were farmers and ranchers of Scandinavian descent. No credible sources indicate any Indigenous lineage in her family tree; her background is firmly rooted in South Dakota's settler farming communities.
Noem's Relationship with Native American Communities
While Noem lacks Native American ancestry, her tenure as governor of South Dakota—a state home to nine federally recognized tribes (including the Oglala Sioux, Rosebud Sioux, and Standing Rock Sioux) and encompassing significant tribal lands—has been marked by a complex and often contentious relationship with Native American groups. South Dakota's history is deeply intertwined with Indigenous cultures, particularly the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota peoples, and Noem has publicly acknowledged this "rich Native American heritage woven into South Dakota" on multiple occasions.
Positive Engagements
Cultural Recognition: As a congresswoman and governor, Noem has supported initiatives honoring Native contributions. In 2016, she co-sponsored legislation designating the American bison (Tatanka in Lakota) as the national mammal, highlighting its cultural significance to tribes. She also backed the Congressional Gold Medal for Lakota Code Talkers, World War II veterans who used their language for secure communications.
Official Proclamations: Noem has issued statements celebrating Native American Heritage Month (November) and Native Americans' Day (the second Monday in October in South Dakota), emphasizing the state's shared history and the need to address challenges like education and health disparities. For instance, in 2018, she wrote about the honor of receiving a Star Quilt—a traditional Lakota gift symbolizing protection—from tribal members, calling it a meaningful gesture amid collaborative efforts.
Policy Efforts: She has touted programs to improve outcomes for Native students, noting statistics like low high school completion rates (around one-third for Native public school students) and pushing for better college and career readiness. In 2024, during town halls, she framed her work as helping "the kids that are suffering the most," including those on reservations.
Conflicts and Bans
Noem's relationship with tribes has frequently soured due to policy disputes and public statements perceived as inflammatory or dismissive of tribal sovereignty:
Pipeline Protests (2019): Early in her governorship, Noem signed anti-riot legislation aimed at curbing protests like those against the Keystone XL pipeline, which tribes opposed due to risks to sacred sites and water sources. This led to the Oglala Sioux Tribe banning her from their Pine Ridge Reservation, citing it as an attack on free speech and Indigenous rights. The law was challenged by the ACLU and tribes as unconstitutional.
Immigration and Cartel Rhetoric (2024): In speeches linking border security to reservation issues, Noem claimed Mexican drug cartels had a "presence" on South Dakota reservations, accusing tribal leaders of "personally benefiting" from them and stating that Native children "don't have any hope" due to absent parents. Tribes viewed this as fear-mongering, stereotyping, and undermining their jurisdiction (reservations fall under federal and tribal, not state, authority). By May 2024, all nine tribes had banned her from their lands—covering about 20% of the state—via formal resolutions, with violations potentially leading to trespassing charges.
Education Curriculum (2021): Noem faced criticism for approving social studies standards that removed or diluted references to Native American history, such as the impacts of colonization and trade with Indigenous groups. Educators and tribal leaders accused her of aligning with right-wing efforts to "whitewash" history, prompting backlash from figures like state Native legislators.
Recent Developments: In January 2025, ahead of her Senate confirmation hearing for Homeland Security Secretary, one tribe (unspecified in reports) accepted her apology and lifted the ban, signaling potential reconciliation. However, broader tensions persist, with tribes emphasizing Noem's rhetoric as exacerbating divisions rather than fostering solutions.
Noem's interactions with Native communities reflect a mix of ceremonial respect for cultural heritage and sharp policy clashes, often centered on sovereignty, public safety, and education. Her lack of personal Native ties has not prevented her from engaging on these issues, but it has fueled perceptions among critics that her approaches prioritize state interests over tribal autonomy. For the latest on her confirmation or tribal relations, official sources like the Department of Homeland Security or tribal councils provide ongoing updates.
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