Tribal Council recognize years of service at annual Tribal Operations Employee Appreciation Banquet
2/12/2015 4:00:00 PM - Tribal Observer

By Joseph V. Sowmick, Photojournalist

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council and Human Resources department joined a packed audience as they recognized service award recipients and special honorees at the annual Tribal Operations Employee Appreciation Banquet Jan. 24 at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Ballroom. 

Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police K-9 Officer Neil Schiefer and fellow Officer Trent Vatter received a special award for meritorious service in finding a lost 5-year-old girl on Jan. 4, 2014. 

“She was found OK after 45 minutes of being missing in a wooded area,” said Tribal Police Captain Jim Cates. “Sergeant Craig Wilson also received one for having these officers go to the area where she was last seen. Sergeant Wilson did so before receiving any request for help from Isabella County 911 dispatch.  It was a great job done by these fine officers.”

Lt. Kelly Babcock represented the Tribal Police as Tribal Council bestowed the high honor on the officers.

Behavioral Health Substance Abuse Counselor Robert Storrer also received a special recognition of a Pendleton blanket for his service to our community by Tribal Chief Steven Pego and the Tribal Council.

Anishinabe Workforce Developer Louanna Bruner introduced the employees receiving their 25 years of service (Genevieve Chippeway, Angel Jackson, Matthew Sprague, Sandra Stevens, Lindy Hunt and Julius Peters) and 35-year recipients Tribal Council Members Tim J. Davis and Delmar Jackson Sr.

Assistant Human Resources Manager Mary Quigno served as event coordinator and the Mino Ode’ Singers offered a welcome and Honor Song on the drum. 

SCIT Public Relations Manager Marcella Hadden did a brief welcome address then introduced Tribal Council Chaplain Jennifer Wassegijig who offered a blessing of the food and for all the families and friends represented.

SCIT Mail Courier Kenny Sprague served as master of ceremonies as Youth LEAD Diversion Manager Guadalupe Gonzalez kept the music moving.

“On behalf of the Human Resources department, I would like to take this time to thank those departments and individuals that assisted with the annual Tribal Operations Employee Banquet and to those who donated prizes: Public Relations, Tribal Observer, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort and Spa, Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel, SECR Marketing, Sales, Information Technology, Mino Ode’ Singers, DJ Lupe, Louanna Bruner, Kenny Sprague, Tribal Council and SECR Food and Beverage,” Quigno said. “As always, your department went above and beyond our expectations. A special thank you goes out to all of our Tribal Operations employees for their hard work and dedication. Every one of you contributes to the success of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and our Tribal programs and we appreciate all that you do (and if I left anyone out it was not intentional).”