Tribe Congratulates Mike "Goon" Cook for Appointment as Chairman of USET Veterans Affairs Committee

AKWESASNE - Salute to Tribal Member Mike R. Cook, Commander of American Legion Post 1479, who was recently nominated to serve as chair of the Veterans Committee for United South and Eastern Tribes (USET)! Cook stepped up from Acting Chairman, to being elected by popular vote to the position of Chairman of the USET Veterans Affairs Committee during the USET/USET SPF 2023 Impact Week. "Mr. Cook has been instrumental in putting together a full informative Veteran Affairs Committee agenda for the last two committee meetings", stated Bernice Jordan, Veterans Affairs Committee Assistant.

Joined by seven other Tribal Nations representing their Veterans at the USET Impact Week, the Committee had Federal Veteran Affairs representatives give national updates and explain the various benefit processes and entitlements for membership regions. Tribal Nation involvement with the Tribal National Service Organization (T-REP) has been a major change to quickly process Tribal Nation Veteran's claims.

Mike Cook's involvement with the Tribal National Service Organization has been extremely beneficial in educating Akwesasne community veterans about available services. Cook proudly said, "It is an honor to represent our native veterans on the issues of their health care. While bringing back the knowledge I've received at these meetings, I was able to return home and help our veterans navigate the VA health care program."

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe congratulates you Mike, on your new position as USET Veterans Chairperson and the strides you are making for our native veterans. Niawen:kówa!