Yankton Press & Dakotan. March 18, 2024.
Editorial: Allegation Against SD Tribes Demands Proof
Last week, Gov. Kristi Noem used a town hall meeting, which was devoted to the signing of recently passed educational bills, to lob a serious accusation at South Dakota tribal leaders regarding the proliferation of drugs on the reservations.
In the process, a frayed relationship that is integral to governance in this state became even more strained, perhaps irreparably so.
While talking about the growing challenges in Native American education, Noem said the reservations “have a tribal council or a president who focuses on a political agenda more than they care about actually helping somebody’s life look better.”
She then stated, without providing evidence, “We’ve got some tribal leaders that I believe are personally benefitting from the cartels being here, and that’s why they attack me every day,” South Dakota Searchlight reported.
This latest flare-up of harsh feelings began to accelerate in January when, in a speech to a joint session of the Legislature, the governor said murders were being committed on the Pine Ridge reservation and in Rapid City by cartel members. She said the drug cartels have been successful in recruiting tribal members, The Daily Beast website reported.
That reference did not sit well with Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out, who responded by barring Noem from his reservation.
That was followed by last week’s accusation, which is a direct allegation of gross corruption and criminality.
Suffice to say, South Dakotans need to see the evidence backing up this charge.
Her allegation has been aggressively challenged by tribal leaders. Rosebud Sioux Tribe President Scott Herman told The Daily Beast, “The Rosebud Sioux Tribe strongly condemns the governor’s statements, and we demand an apology from the governor …
“Her remarks were made from ignorance and with the intention to fuel a racially based and discriminatory narrative towards the Native people of South Dakota.”
There’s no doubt that reservations face serious challenges in terms of education. Besides a soaring unemployment rate, a third of Native American students in public schools fail to complete high school, while 84% are not considered ready for college once they complete their secondary education and only 7% take ACT tests. Meanwhile, Native American absenteeism has soared to 54% in public schools.
Economic and cultural issues are part of the problem, to be sure. And drugs are almost certainly an issue there, as they are everywhere.
But the step from that to claiming tribal leaders are benefitting from reservation drug issues cannot go unchecked.
If the governor has this evidence, it must be presented not only to the public but also to legal authorities.
If Noem has no evidence, if she was instead stoking racial divisions to deflect criticism, she needs to explain and to apologize. Loudly and clearly.
“If the governor is truthful about wanting to work with tribal nations on issues of education, economic development and law enforcement, she should take the time to contact tribal leaders before making racist, unsubstantiated and discriminatory attacks on tribal people,” Herman said.
There is no road in between these two points, and there is no walking away from it. This matter must be addressed.
END