Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota is currently facing a significant backlash as multiple tribes, including the Yankton Sioux Tribe and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe, have prohibited her entry onto their lands. This decision was triggered by remarks made by Noem in March, where she accused certain tribal leaders of personally benefiting from drug cartels, leading to strained relations with the tribes.

Noem's office has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the bans, but she has taken to social media to express her belief that despite the tensions with tribal leaders, many reservation residents still support her. She has also criticized tribal leaders for not taking action to expel cartels from their lands, offering her assistance to restore law and order. The ongoing tension between Noem and the tribes is rooted in past disputes over issues like the Dakota Access Pipeline protests and COVID-19 safety measures, revealing long-standing frictions dating back to events like the Wounded Knee massacre in 1890.

Political observers are speculating that Noem might be leveraging these controversies for potential political gain, with suggestions that she doesn't mind the focus on tensions with Native Americans in South Dakota as an alternative to discussions about her shooting of a hunting dog, a story that sparked criticism and regret. As Noem's political path is scrutinized amidst these controversies, there are discussions around her potential future moves such as bids for the Senate or a return to the House of Representatives, given the barred possibility of a third gubernatorial term.