Sally Kniffen has worked for SCIT for 20+ years and currently fills our Environmental Specialist position where she helps oversee the EPA: General Assistance Program. Sally is also a trustee council representative for the Tribe on two Natural Resources Damage and Assessment case involving Dow Chemical Company contaminates in the Tittabawassee River and the General Motors contaminates in the Saginaw River and Bay. Sally has an interest in sustainable projects thus she has worked with students at SCTC + CMU and Andahwad facilities on food waste recovery projects. Sally is currently working with the Saginaw Chippewa Academy to incorporate these community values into practical solutions.

Alexis Bruce is an Environmental Resource Technician who guides the pesticide program for the SCIT. Our goal is to limit pesticide use on tribal land in favor of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a pest control strategy that uses a combination of nontoxic methods and pesticides only if necessary. She can help navigate pesticide and disinfectant concerns or resources, but pollinator protection is the focus of the program. Public health is the priority, but we want to check that your pesticide method applies to the right pest. Alexis is an alumni from Central Michigan University, receiving an Environmental Studies degree and a Communication minor in 2023.

Tori Engler is a Natural Resources Specialist focusing on wild rice or Manoomin (Zizania palustris and Zizania aquatic) management and restoration. During the summers she will be assisting with Diver-Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) to remove harmful Eurasian water milfoil that threatens the native wild rice. She also will assist with several other natural resources, forestry, invasive species removal, plantings, community outreach, and water quality programs, grant-writing, and supervising fieldwork. Tori earned her BS in Wildlife Ecology and Management from Michigan Tech and her MS in Fisheries and Wildlife from Virginia Tech.

Kim oversees Curbside Collection, Elder's Assistance Home Repair, Elder’s ADA Accessibility, and Indian Health Service Well and Septic Programs. She assists the Conservation Committee and issues Hunting licenses. She performs all administrative functions for the Planning and Environmental Team.

Phil Jackson is SCITs Environmental Response Program Specialist and was previously an Environmental Resource Technician for the Tribe’s Environmental team. Phil works with local and regional emergency response personnel to ensure that the views of SCIT are considered when decisions are made regarding our natural resources. The program works to identify and respond to environmental concerns to help guide property cleanup, reuse, and redevelopment activities with community input while also concentrating on Brownfields identification and remediation. He is also working on the Fish Consumption project in which one of the main goals is to create an educational tool to be used by our community so they can make safe choices when choosing which fish to eat. Another project that Phil and the Environmental Resource Technician are working on is a pesticide program that will provide support and educational outreach to the Tribal community to encourage responsible pesticide use in a manner that protects human and environmental health. Phil’s interest in the outdoors and natural resources has encouraged him to complete his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences in 2022 from Southern New Hampshire University. Phil is continuing his education to achieve a master’s degree in Environmental Assessment from the University of Kansas. Prior to this job Phil was employed as a Table Games Dealer for the Saginaw Chippewa and Gun Lake tribes.

Dustin Hager is a Natural Resource Specialist with the tribe where he directly works to put environmental and land management practices into action. His job includes many facets such as trail maintenance, invasive species removal, tree planting, and other general aspects of maintaining tribal land. Dustin is an alumni from Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental studies with a concentration on political sciences.

Katie Hager is the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s Environmental Outreach Coordinator. Katie’s goal is to work with the environmental team to collect and evaluate information to determine community program needs and aspirations for educational and informational purposes. Katie will be collaborating with the environmental team to aid in facilitating their action plans and events to ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly practices both in an administrative and field setting. Katie’s interests and work history include sustainability, grant management, outreach, career training, and education. She has earned associate degrees in Science and Plastic Engineering/Manufacturing Technologies from Mid Michigan College and a bachelor’s of science in Sustainability Management from Bellevue University. Katie has assisted with tree and plant giveaways; river cleanups; water blessings and ceremonies with tribal members and elders; tree plantings; invasive species identification and treatment; youth camps – Anishinaabe Environment and Culture Camp and STEAM Camp; Clean Boats Cleans Waters Boat Wash events; outdoor youth scavenger hunts, hikes, and identification walks; while also working community, environmental meetings, and supporting Saginaw Chippewa Academy environmental and outdoor instruction along with coordinating environmental instructional and community support with the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College.

Breanna Knudsen is the Tribal Environmental Response Program Specialist for Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, where she carries out many duties of the SCIT’s EPA 128(a) CERCLA program, conducts the mandated monthly UST inspections on both of the SCIT’s gas stations, and serves on the SCIT’s Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School (MIIBS) Committee, among other assignments. Prior to joining SCIT, she served as Brownfields Specialist for Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. Breanna is an alumni of Central Michigan University with both her bachelor’s and master’s degree. She is a proud LRBOI descendant and her hobbies include classical piano, local animal rescue, volunteering, and learning Anishinaabemowin.