TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE’S DR. JULIE ZAHN APPOINTED TO THE DOJ’S VIOENCE AGAINST AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE WOMEN TRIBAL LEADERS COUNCIL

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana is proud to announce that Dr. Julie Zahn, Council Member At Large, has been appointed to the United States Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women Tribal Leaders Council (OVW TLC or Council). Dr. Zahn, who is both Tunica-Biloxi and Choctaw, was elected to the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Council in April 2024 as an advocate for Indigenous communities, focusing on initiatives that promote equity, empowerment and safety for Native women.

This appointment reflects Dr. Zahn’s leadership and commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by Indigenous women, and emphasizes her role advancing the Tribe’s interests on both a regional and national scale. Dr. Zahn’s appointment to the OVW TLC aligns with the Tribe’s broader efforts to advocate for social justice and the well-being of Native communities.

The OVW TLC, established by the DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women, provides a forum for Tribal leaders to exchange insights and expertise on federal programs aimed at combating domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and sex trafficking within Native communities. The Council is charged with offering policy recommendations, advising on legislation, and facilitating the implementation of programs designed to strengthen the safety and protection of American Indian and Alaska Native women.

In addition to her leadership on the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Council, her role as the Director of the American Indian Center of Houston underscores her commitment to serving Native populations, as the Center provides resources for American Indians and Alaska Natives in the Houston area.

“The appointment of Dr. Julie Zahn to the Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women Tribal Leaders Council is a pivotal moment for our Tribe and will prove beneficial to the broader Indigenous community,” said Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite. “Dr. Zahn’s vision and dedication will undoubtedly make a significant impact in the fight to protect Native women and ensure that their voices are heard at the highest levels of government.”

As a representative of the Eastern Region, Dr. Zahn will serve alongside 11 other leaders on the Council, contributing to the development of policies and programs that enhance the safety, empowerment and healing of survivors across Indian Country.

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe congratulates Dr. Zahn on this remarkable achievement and commends her for her steadfast commitment to creating safer, more just communities for American Indian and Alaska Native women.