The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe has lifted its ban on Governor Kristi Noem, marking a significant change in their relationship.

In a letter to Noem, Tribe President Anthony Reider shared that the tribe’s leadership voted to remove the ban. They also congratulated her on her nomination by Donald Trump for a key position in the Department of Homeland Security.
Noem had previously apologized to the tribe after they warned her about the impending ban. She expressed her desire to work together for better outcomes in education and community safety.
The tension between Noem and the tribes started when she made comments about drug cartels targeting Native American reservations. She suggested that tribal leaders were benefiting from these cartels, which didn’t sit well with many.
While the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe has lifted their ban, it’s still unclear if other tribes in South Dakota will follow suit.