It is with great pleasure Housing welcomes Lacey Mandoka as our new Emergency Rental Assistance Program Administrative Assistant. Lacey brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Housing team. Lacey has worked at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in food and beverage and Seventh Generation in Tribal Operations. She is currently working on her associate degree at Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College.

Lacey enjoys a good scary movie and traveling. Lacey says “She likes going to tribal community events like Pow-Wows, sober celebrations, and family fun events.” Lacey is a Saginaw Chippewa Tribal member and strongly believes in “The importance of learning your traditions.” Lacey wants the Tribal Community to know “I am here to help everyone out who needs rental and utility assistance. Please let your family and friends know.” Lacey Mandoka can be reached 989-775-4588 or LMandoka@sagchip.org.

It is with great pleasure to welcome Roland Jackson as our new maintenance worker. Roland brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Housing team. Roland has worked at the Ziibiwing Center as a grounds keeper and at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort as a laundry attendant. Roland is a hard core video gamer and his favorites include Call of Duty and Halo. Roland also enjoys rap and hip hop. He believes “He can rap with the best of them like Royale Blood and G-Easy.”

Roland is a proud Saginaw Chippewa Tribal member. He enjoys attending Pow Wow’s to “See the community come together, laugh with family, and the food”. Roland also strongly believes in “The Power of Fry Bread”. Roland proudly admits “I am here to help out the tenants and the Tribal Community any way that I can. I can’t wait to meet everyone. “Please welcome Roland the next time you see him. Roland can be reached at 989-775-4534 or RolaJackson@sagchip.org.

I have held a realtors license in the past. Helping people find a home as easy as possible, brings great joy to me.

I enjoy the tribal heritage and love how dedicated the tribe to their tribal members and our community. My skills sets include professionalism, efficiency and strong communication skills, building relationships with both internal and external employees and people. FAMILY is my #1 priority in life- I have a husband and two boys. My boys are now grown up ages 20-29. My youngest attends NMU (Marquette MI) and is on a Football scholarship. We spend our Falls traveling and watching him mostly. I was part of the hotel’s 1998 opening team. I started with the front office, shortly after went to Concierge and then to our Sales department. I have 22 years working with for the tribe.

Most of my time is spent with my family, attending sporting events together, traveling and enjoying the warmer states. Exercise is also a big part of my life, walking, biking & yoga. I also enjoy music and going to concerts. I also love to shop.

It is with great pleasure Housing welcomes Aaron Graveratte as our newEmergency Rental Assistance Program Coordinator. Aaron brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Housing team. Aaron has worked 14 years for Tribe at Behavioral Health, Tribal Court, and Saganing Hotel. He is a graduate from Central Michigan University with a Master’s of Science Degree in Human Resource Administration as well as a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology with an Emphasis in Criminal Justice.

Aaron is a Tribal Member and likes to spend time with his family taking vacations and outdoor activities. Aaron is an avid Detroit Lions fan and believes “This is the year for the lions to roar. Go Lions.” Aaron also enjoys fry bread and Indian tacos. Aaron mentions “If you have any extra please share.”

Aaron’s main job is to assist families with utilities, security deposits and rental assistance. This grant helps low income Tribal Members, Tribal Descendants, Members of other Tribes, and general members of the Tribal Community. The grant covers the counties of Arenac, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, Midland, Osceola, and Montcalm.

Please help us welcome Aaron to the Housing team. He can be reached at 989-775-4538 for questions about rental assistance. He may also be reached at CERAP@sagchip.org. Aaron states “I am here to help out the Tribal Community. Please call me”.

Rosalie came to the position of Housing Manager on March 5, 2018. She is a member of the SCIT and graduated from CMU in 1996. She has worked for the tribe for the past 16 years, most recently at Andahwod, the Tribe’s assisted living facility. Rosalie was with elder’s project since 2006 and worked very closely with the Elder Advisory Board to help them realize their vision for elder specific housing. Rosalie is the 14th child born into a family of seventeen siblings. She knows firsthand how important affordable, adequate, quality housing is to a community.

As the SCIT Housing Manager the main responsibility is to administer the annual grant awarded to the Tribe each year through the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA). In addition to managing the low-rent program on tribal trust lands the Housing department works with SCIT members to remove barriers to home ownership both on and off trust lands.

Kathleen joined the Housing department as the Occupancy & Resident Services Specialist in 2013. She coordinates the leasing process for HUD Low Income Housing. Kathy is a graduate from Ferris State University with an Associate of Applied Science in Office Administration as well as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Kathy is also a licensed Realtor in the state of Michigan, a professional income tax preparer and a notary public. She assists families & individuals seeking to secure housing. She uses her skillsets to provide professional services to all applicants and tenants in Mount Pleasant and Standish.

Andrew joined the Housing Department as Administrative Assistant in March of 2019. Andrew has over 12 years working for various departments in the Tribal Community including Human Resources and Tribal College. Andrew has Associate Degrees in Marketing, Management, and Entrepreneurship from Nashua Community College. Andrew also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Southern New Hampshire University. Andrew uses his guest services skills and knowledge as the front desk main point of contact. Andrew is a SCIT member.

Jerry came on board September 30th, 2019 from SECR Grounds. He previously worked as a commercial fisherman. One of Jerry’s strengths include working on automobiles. Jerry is a member of the Grand Traverse band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. He has extensive knowledge of tribal traditions and culture and even sings at various Pow-Wows. According to Jerry “I like to stay involved in my Tribal community. Rounds dances are my favorites.” Jerry also adds “I can’t wait to meet all of you. I am so excited working here in Housing.”

Jeremy has been working for the Tribal Community for 23 years. He has been working in the Housing Department for 21 years. He is a Descendant of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and he loves his Tribal heritage. He has a strong passion for Pow Wows and Indian tacos. Jeremy mentions "If you ever have an extra Indian Taco; please share." Jeremy's favorite part of working in the Housing Department is serving the community and helping out with tenant issues. Jeremey enjoys working on new units and maintaining the park grounds. He also enjoys snowmobiling, spending time with his family and friends.

Samuel brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Housing team. Samuel started at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in 2002 at The Water Lily Fine Dining restaurant and then was promoted to the position of Department Chef of Banquets and Catering for 4 years. Samuel was hired in 2007 as the Support Service Manager for Andahwod CCC & ES for a total of 13 years. Samuel also helped lead the Native Farmers Market for two seasons. Samuel attended the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal College and graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Business. Samuel also has attended Intercostal Vocational College in Santa Ana California and obtained his Drug and Alcohol Counseling Certificate and is still working on CDAC 1 licensure. Samuel was a Case Manager for Gratitude Lodge Detox and Residential in Newport Beach and also worked in the Business Development for Zinnia Health as the Native American Outreach Specialist.

Samuel is a Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Member and likes to spend time with his family, taking vacations, attending live music shows and outdoor foraging activities. Samuel loves to cook and teach indigenous foods. He has taken part in Chef mentoring at various Inter Tribal Food Summits across the Nation. He has cooked and learned traditional food from Chef Sean Sherman the Sioux Chef and Chef Brian Yazzie. Samuel takes great pride in his culture and loves to share his knowledge.

Samuel says “Please contact me if you or a loved one needs assistance with safe and secure supportive housing and lets work together to make the dream of recovery possible”. The PSH project is on schedule for completion for the end of 2023.