Kristi Noem’s Homeland Security confirmation skirts tribal controversies in her home state

I watched as I wanted to see if Tribal homelands were addressed at any point in the meeting. I had never heard Gov. Noem speak publicly. I didn’t know what to expect. The only thing I really knew about her was that she is a cowgirl and had carried “Old Glory” during the rodeo grand entries at Belle Fourche, South Dakota and the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

Other than that, the only thing I knew about Gov. Noem is that the Indian Reorganization Act tribal councils banished her from all of the reservations in South Dakota after comments made regarding drug cartel presence in Indian Country. I always wondered why she was banished. Did the governor hit a nerve with some folks because there is a semblance of truth to her remarks or were her claims unfounded, without merit, or based on negative stereotyping of American Indians to score political points?

With her new proposed position, she may have an opportunity to vindicate her remarks by doing something about them. Will she hold the “bad actors” she alludes to several times during the interview accountable? If not, she may prove to be just another politician who can talk the talk but fails to walk the walk.

The key issues of the day were increased border security, stopping illegal immigration, and protection from cyber-attacks. I support those three issues. American Indians have only been calling for tightened security on Turtle Island’s borders for the last 532 years or so. It’s about dam time someone did something about it.

Noem was introduced first by Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota and then by Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND, who was given the Hidatsa name of Mashee Motza, by a now-deceased member of the Metzii Dogaa clan. After thanking leadership, Cramer said, “Once again, I find myself in full agreement with the majority leader. It’s a good place to be in our business.”

After a lengthy introduction of Noem, Cramer then said, “Last night, I received a very touching letter, unsolicited by either Kristi or me, from the tribal chairwoman from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe which straddles North Dakota and South Dakota. They don’t really care who wins the North Dakota State-South Dakota State football game, but they do care about their reservation.” He continued, “Standing Rock is the home of Sitting Bull, in case you were wondering about the credentials of their ability to protect the homeland.”

Cramer then read Chairwoman Alkire’s letter: “On multiple occasions, Governor Noem has invited the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to her table and to (the) South Dakota State Capitol to enter into meaningful discussions. It is of great excitement and enthusiasm that our North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, will be at the helm of the Department of the Interior and my hopes remain high that you will feel the same about Governor Kristi Noem at the helm of the Department of Homeland Security. These two governors understand the needs in Indian Country and what words like tribal sovereignty, jurisdiction, and consultation mean to the indigenous people.”

Apparently, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has reversed its position regarding the banishment and are now in full support of Governor Noem.

During the interview, Noem engaged in a lengthy conversation with Arizona’s Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego regarding border patrol operations on large parts of the southern border, which run through tribal lands. Gallego stated that tribes in his state want to be a part of the nation’s security efforts, and great programs have worked in the past, such as the Shadow Wolves with the Tohono O’odham Nation. “As DHS Secretary, what is your plan to consult with our border tribes and work together to balance both national security but also their sovereignty?” said Gallego.

Noem responded, “My experience as governor and my relationship with working with our tribes is going to be an incredible and powerful tool for me to bring to bear at the Department of Homeland Security to work on how we secure our southern border but still respect their sovereignty.

“This year, when looking at public safety issues we had in South Dakota and their lack of ability to hire tribal officers on our reservations in South Dakota, I offered to train federal law enforcement officers, BIA officers, but also their tribal police in South Dakota at no cost to our tribes. We’ve had to build those relationships.”

She called the Shadow Wolf training opportunity incredible and vowed to build on it and perpetuate it in the future so that tribes can contribute to maintaining a secure southern border of the United States.

The full Senate is expected to vote on her appointment following President-elect Donald Trump’s Monday inauguration.

The banishment on the South Dakota reservations was never mentioned.

Gowits