District 26 Rep's open letter regarding reconciliation and respect between Gov. Noem and Rosebud Sioux Tribe

Editor’s note: District 26 state Rep. Eric E. Emery is a Democrat from Rosebud. This open letter to Gov. Noem was posted on X on April 12, 2024:

Recent events concerning Gov. Noem’s ban from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe (RST) and her refusal to return the RST tribal flag have brought to light critical issues of reconciliation and respect between Indigenous communities and government officials.

As members of a society striving for unity and understanding, we must address these matters with sensitivity and a commitment to justice. First, it is crucial to recognize and respect the decision by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe to ban Gov. Noem. This is not just an act of protest but a clear assertion of their sovereignty and autonomy.

Tribal nations have the inherent right to determine who enters their territories and under what conditions. Gov. Noem’s actions, whether unintentional or not, have led to this decision, and it is of utmost importance that she acknowledges and respects it.

Secondly, Gov. Noem’s refusal to return the RST tribal flag (seen above in a public domain image posted on wikimedia commons), despite requests from tribal leaders, is deeply concerning. The tribal flag, a symbol of cultural heritage and identity, holds significant value to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Its return is not merely a matter of protocol but a gesture of respect and acknowledgment of the tribe's sovereignty.

Gov. Noem’s failure to honor this request further strains the fragile relationship between her office and the Oceti Sakowin.

It is crucial that the state of South Dakota acknowledges and addresses the historical injustices that indigenous peoples have faced. Gov. Noem must promptly return the RST tribal flag to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe as a clear sign of reconciliation and mutual respect.

I strongly insist that both parties engage in a constructive dialogue, a pathway to understanding and resolution, to address the underlying issues effectively and build a relationship based on trust, understanding, and collaboration. Efforts to achieve genuine reconciliation are essential and cannot be compromised.

Editor’s note: Gov. Noem has not returned the flag to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Instead, she had it taken down from a display of tribal flags and replaced by an American flag. Her spokesman, Ian Fury, said if the Tribe wants the banner, they can come pick it up.

District 26 state Rep. Eric Emery is a Democrat from Rosebud.