The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe is banishing Governor Kristi Noem from its reservation until further notice.
The ban, which was approved unanimously on Wednesday, was first reported by the Rapid City Journal.
Speaking to SDPB a day before the ban, Chairman Clyde Estes said the tribe takes issue with the governor’s words during a townhall in March.
Then, the Republican governor said tribal members benefit from a Mexican drug cartel presence. Estes said he draws the line at Noem saying Native American children have no hope.
“There’s a lot of unfortunate things that are said that are hurtful to our people, especially our children,” Estes said. “All I’ve asked for is she send a written apology to our children and then to the parents.”
Eight of nine tribal governments located in South Dakota have now banned Noem from their reservations.
The ban comes as Noem is heading town to the US Southern Border in Texas on Thursday.
Friday morning, Noem is holding a press conference to discuss the southern border and what she said is cartel presence on South Dakota’s tribal lands.
Tribal leaders denounce Noem’s claims about cartels on the reservations. In a statement, Lower Brule Chairmen Estes calls it “another blatant misstatement.”
"We remain prayerful that the SD Governor will stop and think about how these unfounded statements hurt our tribal members, especially our children and does nothing to foster true reconciliation amongst all South Dakotans," Estes' statement said.
