The following story was written and reported by Ernestine Chasing Hawk . All content © Native Sun News.

RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA –– South Dakota Indian Tribes will have a new voice in Washington.

State Rep. Kristi Noem, (R-Castlewood), the SD Republican Candidate who vied against Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) for South Dakota’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives won with 48 percent of the vote to Herseth Sandlin’s 46 percent.

Herseth Sandlin campaigned heavily in Indian communities and won overwhelmingly in most of the counties with large Indian populations, but the Indian Vote was not enough to send her back to Washington.

During the campaign, Noem openly touted membership in the “Tea Party Movement” whose primary concerns are cutting back the size of government, lowering taxes, reducing wasteful spending, reducing the national debt and federal budget deficit and adherence to the United States Constitution.

The economic stimulus package and health care reform were favorite targets of Tea Partiers during the 2010 campaign.

Last week Noem was in Rapid City for a victory party at the Rushmore Holiday Inn with other Republicans who were basking in their sweep of 2010 elections.

South Dakota tribes had developed a working relationship with Herseth Sandlin that took many years to mature. Tribes are dependent on congressional leaders to get their messages to Washington and Noem said she is willing to be that voice although she has not had much of an opportunity to visit with Tribal leaders.

“We are going to immediately set up opportunities for me to sit down and visit with tribal leaders and the elders to discuss specifically their concerns,” the congresswoman-elect said. “I have had some opportunities during the campaign to do that but not with a lot of them."

She said she understands the concerns Indian people have about their youth, education and law enforcement and will give tribal leaders the opportunity to tell Washington what’s best for them.

“I know that a lot of times the feelings have been that Washington DC feels that they know what’s best and that you really know what’s best and that the tribes have recommendations for what’s best for their communities,” she said.

She reassured that her congressional staff will arrange meetings with tribal leaders as soon as possible.

Noem has openly stated that she supports repeal of the Health Care Reform Act.

“I support repealing the health care reform bill and replacing it with actual solutions that cut costs. ObamaCare costs almost $1 trillion, and contains hundreds of billions in taxes and cuts to Medicare. I believe health care reform should cut costs, expand access to health care and should not break the bank,” Noem said in an interview with Native Sun News.

Along with passage of the Health Care Reform Act was passage of the Indian Health Reauthorization Act and repealing it would mean repealing the Indian Health Care Authorization Act.

“Yes but that could be easily reinstated and it should be. That is something that could have been done separate from that health care bill and should have been handled separately because it was important enough. It should have stood on its own two feet,” she said.

Even though it had sat before congress for more than 10 years Noem said she believes that it would have passed overwhelmingly on its own because congress recognizes its importance.

“The provisions of the bill that allow Indian Health Services (IHS) to focus more on prevention and mental health issues are very important and good for South Dakota. Repeal or no repeal, this is something that Congress should have passed long ago. It should not have taken a huge overhaul to give IHS authority to do this,” Noem said.

She said that if she supports repeal she would immediately have a provision that would reinstate it so that wasn’t in jeopardy.

The newly elected congresswoman was asked what the top two poorest counties in the nation were.

“I am aware and concerned that Buffalo County and Shannon County are the poorest counties in the nation,” she said and that she was also aware that six of the 11 poorest counties in the nation are within the boundaries of Indian reservations in South Dakota.

She listed them: Buffalo County – Crow Creek Indian Reservation, Shannon County – Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Todd County – Rosebud Indian Reservation, Ziebach and Dewey County – Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, Corson County – Standing Rock Indian Reservation.

When quizzed about the per capita income of those counties she responded, “It is unacceptable that per capita income in some of the reservation counties is around $5,000 - $8,000 dollar per year on average.”

She also said she is aware of the many economic challenges reservation living encompasses including the fact that although many counties in South Dakota top the list as poorest residents also pay some of the highest rates for such basic needs as water, propane, electricity, groceries, housing, gasoline for their vehicles, telephone and cable services costs.

“I am aware of the numerous challenges that the nine Tribes in South Dakota face and I am committed to helping them tackle the challenges that confront us,” she said and that one of her key priorities would be to create a better environment for delivery of basic needs for the people.

Replacing Lakota country’s “sweetheart” in Congress will be a hard shoe to fill, but Noem said she is ready for the challenge.

“I will work on several important areas of concern in Indian country. I am committed to promoting economic development. I am also committed to working to ensure there is basic law and order in Native American communities. Finally, we should focus resources on improved schools and better health care.”

Ernestine Chasing Hawk can be reached at: staffwriter@nsweekly.com