On Monday, November 1st, from 6:00pm-7:30pm please join us for a panel and mentoring sessions, National Native American Heritage Month – Diversity & Career Series. This panel features an impressive lineup of our outstanding Native American professionals, followed by breakout sessions for participants to receive mentorship. This is hosted by Career Services and the Center for Diversity at SUNY Potsdam. Click to see panelist bios. Click here to register to receive Zoom link.
Diversity & Careers Series
National Native American Heritage Month
Mon., November 1, 2021. 6-7:30pm | Virtual PANELIST BIOS
Benjamin Herne
Benjamin “Benny” Herne is a lifelong resident of Akwesasne and is currently serving his
second term as Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Sub-Chief. He also serves as Chairman of the
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Section 17 Corporation, Tewáthahón:ni. This allows the
corporation to pursue diversification initiatives for revenue generation to augment
Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort distributions to the community. In addition, Benny also
serves on the Mohawk Indian Housing Corporation Board as well as serving as ex officio
capacity with the Akwesasne Housing Authority. Prior to working on Council, Benny
worked in various marketing capacities at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort, most
recently as the Promotions/Special Events/Entertainment Manager.
In May 2018, Benny obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree from Potsdam State in Business
Administration with a focus in Marketing and Management. He also graduated from
Ioha:hiio Adult Education in 2009 with a Certificate in Culinary Management. Continuing
his education later in life; he advocates “learning happens at any age”.
Chanel Watewanniiostha Cook
Chanel Watewenniiostha Cook, is of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation and belongs to the Snipe
Clan. She graduated from SUNY Potsdam, with a B.A. in Psychology. She is the Prevention
Education Supervisor for the Saint Regis Mohawk Health Services, Alcoholism/Chemical
Dependency Prevention Program. Chanel facilitates the Akwesasne Coalition for Community
Empowerment and the Akwesasne Suicide Prevention Committee.
Chanel believes that an individual becomes empowered by surrounding themselves with
positive influence and role models. With the knowledge she has gained and wisdom acquired
through diverse work environments and life experiences. Being an indigenous, LGBTQI+
woman from Akwesasne, Chanel knows firsthand the difficulty of identifying a positive role
model. This has been a main driving force in fueling the work she does today.
5th Grade Teacher, Nightengale Elementary School – MCSD
Patrick Printup
Sub Chief, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe-
Prevention Education Supervisor, Saint Regis Mohawk Health Services
I grew up in Oneida and Akwesasne NY. In the years following my graduation from Massena
Central High School in 2014, I received a B.A, followed by an M.S.T in Childhood Education
with distinction, and a C.A.S in Inclusive and Special Education with distinction from SUNY
Potsdam. Throughout my undergraduate and graduate years at SUNY Potsdam I worked in
various restaurants as a cook, chef, and head chef. I was involved with a few different
organizations during my years at SUNY Potsdam; however, I spent the most time with the
North Country Science and Technology Entry Program (N.C.S.T.E.P). After grad school, I
started my career with a 5th-grade teacher position in New Hartford, NY (2020-2021). After
that school year ended, I moved back to the North Country and landed my dream job of
being a 5th-grade teacher in the district I graduated from (2021-present). I love my job and
the journey it took to get here was a challenging, yet rewarding one.
