Erich Longie: Rep. Cramer owes real apology to Native women

We Dakotas are easy to get along with. After all, our very name signifies friends and/or allies.

And, we are pretty much assimilated into the mainstream society, so we no longer become all warlike when a Caucasian verbally assaults our winyans (women) in a meeting. Besides, our winyans are tough; they don’t need anyone’s help to deal with a person who apparently does not have any respect for them as human beings.

But, at soon to be 60 years of age, I still have some of the old ways in me that were taught to me in my youth. I was raised to respect women and to defend them when they were being mistreated, especially if that winyan is a relative.

Therefore, I’m going to speak up on Melissa Merrick’s behalf, as she is a younger relative of mine. I also believe Merrick’s version is the correct one of the conversation between her and U.S. Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. (“Cramer in hot water,” Page A1, March 29).

So, I am going to point out the obvious in Cramer’s tactics as he scurries around in attempts to do damage control.