Governor Kristi Noem talks rise in tribal violence and drug use

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - Thursday, Governor Kristi Noem wrote to Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out and requested a meeting to talk about the challenges the Native American tribes are facing, most importantly, rising violence and drug addiction.

In her letter, Governor Noem called on the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the Government Accountability Office to conduct audits of federal funding to South Dakota’s nine Native American tribal reservations.

According to Noem, the audit is intended to determine where the money is going and find solutions to help combat crime on the reservations.

“When we have the audits and we know where federal dollars are spent and spent appropriately I can help them advocate for more. In me offering to help, to make sure that they have the resources that they need to have their communities be safe. But that also we need to know and make sure that they have a structure in place that best serves the people in their communities,” Governor Noem said.

In a previous statement following Noem’s statements at town hall meetings, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairwoman Janet Alkire said, “Rather than make uninformed and unsubstantiated claims, Noem should work with tribal leaders to increase funding and resources for tribal law enforcement and education.”

Governor Noem says she plans to do so and hopes today’s efforts showed a willingness to work together.

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