Governor Kristi Noem’s Weekly Column: Tackling the Tribal Public Safety Crisis

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Tackling the Tribal Public Safety Crisis
By: Governor Kristi Noem
May 31, 2024

I have a deep sense of compassion and respect for our Native American population here in South Dakota. And I firmly believe that we solve problems best when we work together and communicate.

This is why I have made it a priority to call attention to the public safety crisis on our tribal reservations.

The smuggling of drugs and trafficking of humans into sex slavery across our Southern Border has increased dramatically because of President Biden’s open border policies. The criminals committing these acts have found a haven on South Dakota’s tribal reservations and impact all families who live in our state. The responsibility for upholding law and order on tribal reservations lies with the tribal government and the federal government. As Governor I have no jurisdiction on tribal reservations. But, just like the warzone at our Southern Border, Joe Biden is turning his back on our tribal communities.

In turn, I have taken unprecedented action to help South Dakota’s tribes. The immediate challenge is a huge shortage of law enforcement officers. I have urged the Biden Administration to adequately fund tribal law enforcement. I’ve also pushed for comprehensive, transparent, public audits to determine exactly what that need is.

It quickly became clear that we needed to continue to take matters into our own hands when it comes to helping our tribes. That’s why I launched a tribal-focused law enforcement training course in partnership with Attorney General Marty Jackley. This is the first training course of its kind in the country, and it will allow our officers to receive their training without having to leave their families for an extended period of time.

I also announced that I will be hosting a Tribal Public Safety Crisis Summit in Pierre on Monday, June 24th. I have invited a number of elected leaders and law enforcement officials at the federal, state, local, and tribal levels to join us. It is my hope that this Summit will allow us to start an important conversation and get the ball rolling towards real solutions.

We will proudly celebrate the 100th anniversary of Native America citizenship on June 2nd. I will continue working to improve life not only for our tribal members, but all South Dakotans. Those efforts will include our Stronger Families Together initiative. It is important for Native American foster children to grow up in a home that reflects their culture and heritage. With Stronger Families Together, we are prioritizing recruiting more Native American foster families across our state. Tragically, suicide disproportionately impacts Native American communities. I am constantly working with many of our state agency to disseminate suicide prevention information.

One of the best things we can do is join in mutual aid agreements with our tribes. These agreements allow State law enforcement to work with tribes to enforce tribal law, help those in need on our reservations, and combat the public safety crisis we see across our state. I have repeatedly urged all nine of South Dakota’s Native American tribes to join in mutual aid agreements with the State of South Dakota, and I will continue to encourage them to do so.

I remain open to any additional solutions that others may propose to address this serious crisis. Through these efforts and collaborations, I am confident we can continue moving forward and building a stronger future for South Dakota.

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10 thoughts on “Governor Kristi Noem’s Weekly Column: Tackling the Tribal Public Safety Crisis”

  1. She really is unbelievable. Unsubstantiated claims, banishment, and no apology is not the way to go. It’s always my way or the highway. When asked by the media if she would apologize to the tribes, she walked out of the room. I knew her before she was in state government. A shame that she isn’t even close to the same person.

  4. The summit will be about how the tribe can do things her way and will not seek input from tribal leaders. Again “my way or the Highway “ and you must give me praise and all the credit but no blame.

  5. If she is so worried about the trafficking of humans, she seriously needs to look into the hunting lodges. They bring in “entertainment” during pheasant season – but hey, I guess that is ok. Gotta keep those bird shootin’ folks happy. Anyone who has been to Dallas SD knows…

  6. The tribes don’t want help from the state. The rest of us are tired of them blaming everybody but themselves for all their problems. They want sovereignty so let them have it.

  7. what does it say about a political hack so worthless that even 34 time felony convicted felon donald trump doesn’t want her on his ticket. Way to go sd republicans. Maybe it’s time for impeachment and removal from office. Nah, that’s too much work, lets just find a gravel pit and give her a taste of her own medicine.

  9. One has to be pretty deep in the sheep herd to still believe and follow this lady and her crazy rants. She has shown her true colors as she is competing for Trump’s attention. SD could do so much better. What happened to the party of small government, she certainly is NOT that?

  10. twenty years ago gov rounds was mapping out his 2010 program for sd economic and cultural development, and was setting the state on the path to turning homestake into a world class science facility. the tribes and state were in a much more peaceful coexistence. point to anything in sd now to rival the big swings we were taking at the plate back then. it’s very hard to find.

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