Our Mission Statement
United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. is dedicated to enhancing the development of federally recognized Indian Tribes, to improving the capabilities of Tribal governments, and assisting the USET Members and their governments in dealing effectively with public policy issues and in serving the broad needs of Indian people.
What is USET?
Established in 1969, the United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET) is a non-profit, inter-Tribal organization serving thirty-three (33) federally recognized Tribal Nations from the Northeastern Woodlands to the Everglades and across the Gulf of Mexico. USET is dedicated to enhancing the development of Tribal Nations, improving the capabilities of Tribal governments, and improving the quality of life for Indian people through a variety of technical and supportive programmatic services.
What is USET SPF?
The USET Sovereignty Protection Fund (USET SPF) strives to protect, promote, and advance our inherent sovereign rights, and to elevate the voices of Tribal Nations in our region at the federal level.
USET SPF
Statement of Unity
Read how USET proclaims its objectives and declares its purpose.
Statement of Unity
Member Tribal Nations
USET History
On October 4, 1968, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida met in Cherokee, North Carolina, with the shared idea that some form of unity between the Tribal Nations would facilitate their dealings with the federal government. The result of their vision of “Strength in Unity” was the inter-Tribal council United Southeastern Tribes. The organization changed its name in 1978 to United South and Eastern Tribes to better reflect its membership, as federally recognized Tribal Nations from the Northeastern Woodlands to the Everglades and across the Gulf of Mexico affiliated themselves with the organization.
1968
In October of 1968, the United Southeastern Tribes was formed by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Its office was based at Emory University in Atlanta, GA.
1969
The United Southeastern Tribes was incorporated. The annual budget was $90,000. It employed no staff, and its membership consisted of four Tribal Nations.
1975
The United Southeastern Tribes office moved from Sarasota, FL (where it was based since 1972), to Nashville, TN so that the office would be in a more centralized location for all seven of its member Tribal Nations.
1978
The United Southeastern Tribes changed its name to United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) to better reflect the region in which USET member Tribal Nations were located.
1995
The Tribal Health Program Support Department, originally the Health Information Office, was established to assist Tribal Nations in addressing their health needs.
1999
USET’s annual budget was $1.02M. It employed six staff and its membership consisted of 23 Tribal Nations.
2004
The Office of Environmental Resource Management, originally the Environmental Liaison Office, was established to assist member Tribal Nations in addressing environmental concerns.
2014
USET received approval from the Internal Revenue Service to form a 501(c)4 not-for-profit sister organization—the USET Sovereignty Protection Fund (USET SPF). USET SPF was charged to provide strong advocacy for member Tribal Nations within all branches of the federal government.
2015
The USET Board of Directors charged USET to expand the technical assistance opportunities to new subject areas. This direction led to the establishment of the Office of Economic Development.
2019
The annual budget was $15.8M. USET/USET SPF employed 43 staff and its membership consisted of 30 Tribal Nations.
2021
The annual budget is $18M. USET/USET SPF employs 60 staff and its membership consists of 33 Tribal Nations.
