In his State of the Tribes address, J. Garrett Renville, chairman of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, called for a renewed focus on collaboration and communication between South Dakota’s state leaders and Native American tribes.
He emphasized the need to rebuild relationships that were damaged by past comments from Republican Governor Kristi Noem, who has faced criticism from tribal leaders for her remarks on issues such as drug cartels and the wellbeing of Native American children.
Renville proposed a range of legislative actions to improve the quality of life for tribal communities, including the establishment of a permanent Bureau of Indian Affairs tribal law enforcement academy in South Dakota, legislative support for tribal economic development, and the reorganization of the Office of Indian Education.
He also advocated for the elimination of outdated and discriminatory provisions in laws such as the Dakota Removal Act of 1863, and urged collaboration between the state and tribes on important issues like healthcare and education.
In a related development, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe lifted its banishment of Noem after she issued an apology for her controversial comments. The gesture signals a potential shift in the dynamics between the state and the tribes, as new leadership under Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden could foster a more cooperative approach.