Native SD tribe lifts 'ban' on Gov. Kristi Noem, endorses her for DHS role

Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, who was picked by President-elect Donald Trump as his secretary of Homeland Security, received amazing news this week.

According to Fox News, a South Dakota-based Native American tribe, which had previously "banned" Noem from its reservation lands, has not only lifted the ban but also fully endorsed her as Trump's DHS secretary.

The ban, which was placed on the GOP governor in May, was lifted after a recent vote, according to Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe President Tony Reider.

The letter to Noem announcing that the ban had been lifted came just days before she's set to begin her Senate confirmation hearings, which will ultimately determine if she gets the job.

Reider heaped praise on the governor and announced that the tribe believes she will serve the nation well in the DHS secretary capacity.

"I commend you on your nomination by President Elect Donald Trump to the position of Secretary of U.S. Department of Homeland Security and hereby support your nomination."

The letter added, "I wish you the best of luck during the Senate confirmation hearing on January 17, 2025, and believe that your dedication to the safety and security of the United States will benefit us all."

The situation that resulted in Noem's so-called ban from certain areas of the state was after comments she made regarding drug cartels using Native American reservations to conduct illicit activities.

Fox News noted:

All nine native tribes in South Dakota banned Noem from their reservations last year after outrage over her suggestion that tribal leaders benefit from cartels and the immigration crisis and comments regarding native children's futures. The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe was the last tribe to ban her.

At the time, Noem had said, "Their kids don’t have any hope. They don’t have parents who show up and help them. They 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."

But since then, Noem has apologized for her words, and Reider acknowledged that in his letter to the South Dakota governor.

Reider explained how the tribe appreciated her efforts after making the remarks.

"One of the stipulations contained in the banishment resolution was that you apologize for the comments that were made regarding tribal members and the education of tribal member children which were deemed offensive by some. In several meetings before and after the resolution was passed, you not only explained your position, but apologized if the comments offended the Tribe," Reider said.

"You additionally sought advice on how to phrase such communications moving forward, which the Tribe and I appreciated," he wrote.