PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) — Governor Kristi Noem appears open to at least discussing the possibility of visiting a highway checkpoint on Cheyenne River.
There’s talk Tribal Chairman Harold Frazier may extend the invitation, so Noem can see for herself what’s really going on at the COVID-19 checkpoints.
“He’s got my cell phone number. I’ve got his. We’ll chat about that and see what the potential is.”
Noem’s apparent willingness to discuss a personal visit comes a day after she sent evidence of what she calls the ‘illegal’ checkpoint situation to President Trump and the Justice Department.
The Cheyenne River and Pine Ridge Reservations say the checkpoints are only to help protect their people from the coronavirus.
The Governor says that the easements granting the state access for roads across the reservations show that the checkpoints can’t legally be there.
Noem says she is also worried about the precedent this will set. Right now, it’s concern about COVID-19. She wonders what the next reason the tribes will use to put up checkpoints.
