Diane Millich, a member of the Southern Ute Tribe of Colorado, made national news this month when she shared her story of surviving domestic violence at the signing of S.47, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.

Millich was victimized by her non-Indian ex-husband but the tribe lacked jurisdiction over him and the county was unable to take action in Indian Country. After she left the relationship, he went to her workplace and fired a gun at her.

But due to his lack of prior convictions, her former husband got off with a lighter sentence. Millich said that wouldn't have happened if her tribe was able to prosecute non-Indians for domestic violence offenses.

“I made a commitment that I was speaking for the silenced victim,” Millich told The Durango Herald of her decision to speak at the bill's signing in Washington, D.C. “I came from victim to survivor, and I told myself I was willing to speak for them.”

Millich went on to create Our Sister's Keeper, a non-profit that helps domestic violence survivors.

Get the Story:
From victim to vocal advocate (The Durango Herald 3/27)

Relevant Links:
Video of Signing Ceremony | Transcript of Remarks by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden

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Umatilla Tribes on fast track to assert authority under VAWA (3/26)