On Tribal Relations Day, I announced my plan to permanently display flags from all nine tribal nations in our Capitol rotunda. May this be a sign that the state and tribal governments of SD are united and that we truly embrace the meaning of the word Dakota. We are allies. pic.twitter.com/xfwccVLyzK
— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) February 28, 2019

Opinion

Harold Frazier: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe won't allow flag in state capitol

Monday, March 18, 2019

Statement regarding proposal by Governor Kristi Noem to add tribal flag to capitol rotunda

By Harold Frazier
Chairman, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
@CRSTChairman

Another decision by you, Governor Kristi Noem, has been made without the consent of the Lakota people and has resulted in an embarrassing situation for the state.

It is embarrassing because your actions and decision were done without our consent. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe stands in support of our relatives and says do not place our flag in your capitol until such a time as that place becomes our capitol.

As governor, you have made decisions which have proven that you do not represent people of the Sioux Nation, nor do you protect the people’s constitutional and natural rights. Within our treaty territories, which the state is constitutionally bound to uphold as the supreme law of the land, you have supported and welcomed the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, and have created legislation to restrict individual rights to free and unregulated speech.

Your decision to fly tribal flags was done without our consent and without consultation- the very least you can do is show respect and communicate with our people and government. Your assumption that something will be done because you said it would does not transcend outside of your party or state employees.

I stand with our Sioux relatives and say that our flag will not be flown without our permission to save you the further embarrassment of having a member of our tribe take it down. If the flag of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe is to be displayed, it will be displayed by our people and by a government that truly has the protection of our people at heart. It is my hope that someday your government will be worthy of that honor.

Harold Frazier is serving his second term as chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, based in South Dakota. He also serves as president of the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association. He previously served as vice chair of his tribe and previously as an area vice president for the National Congress of American Indians.