Misty Thomas to be honored for domestic violence efforts

Wednesday, October 19, 2011  

Misty Thomas, a member of the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska, will be honored at the White House tomorrow for her efforts to end domestic violence in Indian Country.

Thomas, who is also of Tlingit ancestry, works for her tribe as director of the Dakota Tiwahe Service Unit. She has been working to open a domestic violence shelter on the reservation.

The long effort paid off when the tribal council approved the Otokahe Teca Tipi, or New Beginnings House, in July. The shelter celebrated its open house on September 20.

Thomas will be one of 14 leaders who will be honored as a Champion of Change during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The session begins at 1pm and will be broadcast at www.whitehouse.gov/live.