Louie T. Cook - Kanawaienton

Louis Thomas Kanawaienton Cook, age 66, of Oglala, S.D. and formerly of Ahkwesahsne, passed away on Monday, May 13, 2013 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital from injuries of an automobile accident. Louie was born on April 23, 1947 in Hanover, N.H., the son of Evelyn Mary Kawennien Montour Cook and William John Rasennes Cook. Louie graduated from Mount Assumption Institute in Plattsburgh, N.Y. before enlisting in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War “to see the world.” He was stationed at the Great Lakes and Brooklyn Naval Yard as a Navy Corpsman. He attended SUNY Plattsburgh and graduated from Canton ATC with a degree in mortuary science. From the mid-70s into the early 90s Louie was the North Country Public Radio jazz host and producer of ‘Jazz Waves,’ and Native issues and culture series, ‘You Are On Indian Land.’ He worked at WSLU-FM for many years while taking various classes at St. Lawrence University. He also worked at Rooks Funeral Home in Standing Rock, S.D. and for Running Strong for American Indian Youth Gardening Project, having completed 400-500 gardens annually for the Lakota families. He married Debra Rooks, she predeceased him.

He is survived by his son, Lawrence William (Buck) Cook and his companion Yolanda David; by his grand daughter Sarah Lynn Cook; a great  grandson, Maesin Ferguson and stepdaughters Rachel, Jackie and Jenny.  Louie is also survived by his brother Thomas Kanatakeniate and Loretta Cook of Chadron, Neb. and Pine Ridge, S.D .; his sisters, Sakakohe and Ray Pembleton of Ahkwesahsne;  Tekatsitsiakwa ‘Katsi’ Cook Barreiro and Jose Barreiro of Washington, D.C., by nieces and nephews: Otistah Horn and Jamie, Troy and Stacy Skidders, John Jacobs, Kakwiraneron and Sarah Cook, Sanchunkoekawin Cook, Sakakohe Cook, Rasennes and Pam Pembleton, Wahiahawi Barreiro, Tsiorasa and Randi Barreiro, Anontaks, Thomas and Phillip Barreiro; by 17 great nieces and nephews and aunts Monica Cook, Elda Cook, Leona Cook and Jane Cook and many cousins. Louie loved jazz music, gardening and growth, and fine foods.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Running Strong for American Indian Youth-Garden Project, 8301 Richmond Highway, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22309, phone 703-317-9881 or website: http://www.IndianYouth.org

A noon meal will be held at the Pembleton residence on Rt. 37 on Thursday, May 23rd, 2013.