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Kristi Noem is on a roll… literally.
Over the weekend she journeyed to the Pine Ridge Reservation to examine first-hand the flooding, snow and damage that has all but consumed areas of the Oglala homeland.
With 4 dead, many roads submerged, families forced from their homes and at least 7 water main breaks over the previous 10 days since a mega-blizzard blew across the Northern Plains, Noem arrived on Day 11 to survey the situation.
Also present were 13 members of the South Dakota National Guard she’d sent ahead to help distribute water to those without.
There’s definitely an irony there, but more so in the lack of personnel Noem assigned to provide assistance that’s reported to also include rescuing Lakota families from their homes.
Considering the 4300 National Guard soldiers and airmen in 22 communities across the state, you might think Noem would have committed more than 13 troops to the reservation’s 3,400 square miles – an area larger than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined.
This is, after all, “The Cowgirl Governor” who says she understands these wide-open spaces we call home. And even Clint Eastwood’s gunslingers would have a hard time being responsible for 261 square miles all on their lonesome.
The state’s first female leader has taken criticism for what many are viewing as a slow response time, especially in light of her visit to Sioux Falls just 3 days after that city started flooding from the same winter storm.
Noem defended herself by noting that the Pine Ridge Reservation is tribal land and “We can’t come onto tribal land until the request is made. As soon as they did, we were here.”
I’m not sure why I heard Jack Nicholson whining “and you have to ask me nicely” when I read that statement, but I did.
Maybe it was because of the recent embarrassment the Oglala and other area tribes gave Noem when they refused to have their flags flown in the state capitol.
That faux pas occurred after Noem signed legislation aimed at prosecuting entities accused of funding protests against oil pipelines – like the Keystone XL that runs through the state and directed toward controlling such protests in an attempt to avoid gatherings like the massive one against the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Tribal leaders were upset by Noem’s support of pipeline construction they’ve consistently opposed without bothering to consult with them about her decision. They also felt the legislation on protests violated tribal members’ First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly.
So, after Kristi went through all the trouble to stage a feel-good “we’re really great friends” moment on February 27, noting that she’d be displaying tribal flags at the state capitol: “South Dakota has a unique opportunity for a new beginning between the state and tribal governments. Bringing tribal flags to the Rotunda is a sign that we are unified and working together to create policies for the next generation.” – leaders of those tribes declined the offer.
Of course, Noem hadn’t bothered to ask the tribes if they wanted their flags in the capitol Rotunda, the same way she didn’t ask them how they felt about her legislation on pipelines… otherwise known as c-o-n-s-u-l-t-a-t-i-o-n. And it’s that arrogant presumption in both areas combined with similar attitudes by No-Consultation Noem’s predecessors and the state’s Congressional team that will keep a wall between the leaders of this state and those of the tribes.
Since Kristi professes to be a good Christian, I wouldn’t presume to think she held back assistance to the people of Pine Ridge while lives were at stake simply because she was annoyed with the tribal leaders – like her most outspoken opponent who’s at the head of the Oglala tribe.
The only alternative is that she doesn’t understand the enormity of the situation or that sending more than 13 National Guard members to help the people on Pine Ridge would be a wise move.
It could even be the “public relations coup” she was hoping for when she presumed to place tribal flags in the state capitol Rotunda.
And, here’s the really Christian part: she could actually initiate the offer – you know, call the tribe’s president and say: “We’ve got this entirely!” instead of waiting for him to ask for more assistance…nicely.
Speaking of questions, here’s another: why hasn’t Sen. Thune or Sen. Rounds bothered to visit the Pine Ridge area?
Oh, right…they’re focused on that “real” national emergency along the Mexican border.
Not to worry boys – Pancho Villa’s long gone.
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