PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) — Governor Kristi Noem is offering a “new kind of partnership” to South Dakota tribal leaders to fight the drug epidemic.
The state is willing to send increased law enforcement resources to the reservations.
“Tribal resources are extremely strapped. They oftentimes do not have the tribal police officers they need to have to cover the territory that needs to be covered.”
State Tribal Relations Secretary Dave Flute says the proposed agreements would respect tribal sovereignty.
“Historically the mistrust between the tribes and the state. This can be a new narrative moving forward that we do trust each other.”
Governor Noem says the agreements – Memorandums of Understanding – would lead to a “more hands-on deck” approach to the growing drug problems on the state’s reservations.
Many South Dakota tribes have declared states of emergency and have been calling for more state and federal help.
