A Native American tribe in South Dakota has lifted its moratorium Republican Gov. Kristi Noem Fox News Digital has learned in a letter on Wednesday offering its endorsement for her nomination to be Secretary of Homeland Security.
Tony Ryder, Chairman of the Flandro Santee Sioux Tribe, wrote Noem a letter on Wednesday informing her that the tribe's executive committee had voted to “remove the ban” it imposed on Noem in May and congratulating her on her nomination to serve in President-elect Trump's Cabinet.
The letter comes just days before Noem is scheduled to appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for her confirmation hearing.
“I commend you on your nomination by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security, and I hereby support your nomination. I wish you the best of luck during your 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.” , Ryder's letter said, according to a copy obtained by Fox News Digital.
Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota and President-elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security, arrives for a meeting with Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., not pictured, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., December 11, 2024. (Getty Images)
All nine Native tribes of South Dakota Noem was banned from her reservations last year after outrage over her suggestion that tribal leaders benefit from cartels, the immigration crisis and comments about the future of indigenous children. The Flandreau Santee Sioux were the last tribe to ban it.
Powerful fire union that was neutral in 2024 backs NOEM vs. DHS as California wildfires rage
“Their children have no hope. They don't have parents to show up and help them. They have a tribal council or chief who is more focused on a political agenda than helping someone's life look better.” Noem said last year in a comment that drew criticism from the tribes.
Rader addressed the issue in his letter to Noem on Wednesday, explaining that the governor apologized for her previous statements and clarified her comment.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem speaks before former President Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, takes the stage during the Buckeye Values PAC rally in Vandalia, Ohio, on March 16, 2024. (Camille Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)
“Among the conditions included in the deportation decision was that you apologize for the comments made regarding the tribe’s members and the education of the tribe’s members, which some considered offensive. In several meetings before and after the decision was issued, you not only clarified your position, but you apologized if the comments were has offended the tribe, and has also asked for advice on how to formulate such communications moving forward, which the tribe and I appreciate,” Ryder wrote.
Tribes blast South Dakota governor's claim that leaders are taking advantage of drug cartels
(Badlands National Park in South Dakota). (Bernie Friel/UCG/Universal Image Group via Getty Images)
The message comes as Noem prepares for it Senate confirmation hearing Friday morning.
Trump announced Noem's selection to lead the Department of Homeland Security shortly after his selection Decisive victory over Kamala HarrisCiting the Republican governor's efforts to secure the southern border, which has been overrun by illegal crossings under the Biden administration.
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in Months since her nominationNoem received endorsements from at least eight police groups or unions, including one that represents thousands of Border Patrol agents.
Republican Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry He also called on Senate lawmakers, most notably Democrats, to quickly confirm Noem after the terrorist attack that rocked New Orleans on New Year's Day.
The International Association of Firefighters, a historically large Democratic firefighting union, also recently endorsed Noem, saying during the raging Los Angeles wildfires that she “understands emergency management and the importance of government response to emergencies whether natural or man-made.”
