North Dakota tribes to meet with Rep. Cramer after VAWA flap

Thursday, April 11, 2013  

Tribes in North Dakota are planning a meeting with Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), who came under fire for comments he made about S.47, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013.

Cramer was one of 87 Republicans in the House who voted for the bill. But in a meeting with Native women's advocates, he disparaged tribal governments and questioned the constitutionality of a provision that recognizes tribal jurisdiction over non-Indians, according to Melissa Merrick, who posted an account on Last Real Indians.

Three tribes in North Dakota condemned the remarks and Cramer has apologized for the way he acted at the meeting.

Get the Story:
Three Affiliated Tribes plans prosecutions under VAWA (The Bismarck Tribune 4/11)

Related Stories:
MSU Extension: VAWA includes protections for Native women (4/10)
Gyasi Ross: Violence Against Women Act a significant first step (04/09)
Native Sun News: Rep. Cramer verbally attacks Indian woman (04/04)
Another tribe criticizes Rep. Cramer for comments on VAWA (04/04)