Few Tribes attend Noem’s Tribal Law Enforcement Summit

Posted 7/3/24

Just three out of South Dakota’s nine tribes were represented last week at Governor Kristi Noem’s first Tribal Law Enforcement Summit in Pierre. Flandreau Santee Sioux Vice President Cynthia Weddell led a delegation from Flandreau, joined by delegates from Standing Rock and Yankton Sioux.

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Few Tribes attend Noem’s Tribal Law Enforcement Summit

Posted

Just three out of South Dakota’s nine tribes were represented last week at Governor Kristi Noem’s first Tribal Law Enforcement Summit in Pierre. Flandreau Santee Sioux Vice President Cynthia Weddell led a delegation from Flandreau, joined by delegates from Standing Rock and Yankton Sioux.
“Due to the timing of the summit, many Native Nations were not in attendance, as most were celebrating the Battle of Little Bighorn or had prior engagements,” said FSST spokesperson Francis Wakeman.
The summit aimed to hear from law enforcement officials, particularly those in areas bordering tribal lands. A significant portion of the discussions centered on jurisdictional issues, with concerns about sovereignty infringement.

Governor Noem suggested Mutual Aid agreements to allow local, county, and tribal law enforcement to collaborate in apprehending criminals who evade arrest by moving between state and tribal territories. FSST already has such agreements in place, Wakeman noted.
Another key topic was the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ (BIA) Special Law Enforcement Commission (SLEC). Despite many tribal officers completing the required 13-week training and an additional three-day BIA program, they have not received their SLEC, limiting their ability to assist in federal investigations of major crimes on tribal lands.
Discussions also focused on the FBI’s criteria under the Major Crimes Act, which Wakeman said leads to some cases being dismissed due to insufficient prosecution resources within tribes.
Governor Noem expressed interest in seeking additional Congressional appropriations to support tribal and state law enforcement but noted that the BIA’s lack of necessary data hinders these efforts.
The summit follows a controversial period for Noem, who remains banned from all nine reservations in the state after comments this spring about tribal leaders benefitting from drug cartels.