Standing Rock Sioux Tribe distances itself from former chair’s endorsement of Kristi Noem

In an official Standing Rocking Sioux Tribe release, Chairman Steve Sitting Bear said that any endorsement of Noem was not done through the tribal council “by any resolution, motion, or official action.” Sitting Bear does not refer to former Chair Janet Alkire by name, but he does reference a “January 17, 2025 correspondence,” saying it should “not be construed. . . as an expression of collective tribal support.” On that date, Alkire sent the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs a letter supporting Noem’s nomination.

“Though it is no great mystery that Governor Noem has had to face conflict amongst the Tribal Nations of South Dakota,” wrote Alkire, “it is my own perspective that Governor Noem has personally shared her fair intent to rebuild the relationships with the Tribal Nations as she has promised her support to Standing Rock should she be officially appointed to serve as Secretary at the DHS.”

The letter was an about-face from a March 22, 2024 release Alkire issued blasting then-Governor Noem for a “wild and irresponsible attempt to connect tribal leaders and parents with Mexican drug cartels” as part of her “fear based politics.” Weeks later, SRST joined the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in banning Noem from their reservations after she made disparaging remarks during several bill signings.

Leading up to her confirmation as DHS Secretary in 2025, Alkire took a more conciliatory tone, appearing in photos with Noem and sending her the letter of support. But since Noem has taken her position, she has launched immigration raids and crackdowns that have alarmed many Americans, including tribal leaders who’ve seen their members confronted, challenged and detained by ICE agents. Amid the unrest in Minneapolis over the weekend, four OST members and a Red Lake Nation descendant were reported to have been detained by ICE.

Prior to his news release clarifying SRST’s stance on Noem, Sitting Bear issued a statement on Jan. 9 asserting tribal sovereignty and announcing that any ICE presence on tribal land was “not authorized, not welcome, and will be addressed.”

NeitherSitting Bear nor Alkire responded to requests for comment by press time.