2017
Current Board Officers
Fredericka Joseph – Chair
Fredericka Joseph is an enrolled member of the Kaw Nation of Oklahoma. Her family belongs to the Night Clan and her Indian name is Evening Star. She also has Cherokee lineage from her mother’s side.
Fredericka has served as a Special Emphasis Program Manager both within a program component and at the National level. She has also performed as an EEO Counselor, Mediator, Team Leader, Trainer, Facilitator, and other assorted duties. Fredericka has received several Meritorious Service Awards over her career along with numerous Certificates of Appreciation and was awarded an Army coin for her diligent work with the Army in the performance of her duties as the Acting Family Advocacy Program Manager. Fredericka is passionate about her work and loves what she does. Fredericka is proud that she grew up as a “BIA Brat” living on 5 different Indian Reservations and attending Bureau funded schools.
Freddie has been a Federal employee for over 29 years working at the Department of the Army, Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and currently at the Department of the Interior Headquarters in Washington, DC. She has served in a variety of positions but her current role is her true passion serving as a Youth Coordinator helping native youth to locate employment during the summer and all year round. She has a degree in Human Services. and is a Lifetime and Founding Board Member of SAIGE.
Lori Windle – Vice-Chair
Lori Windle is Anishinaabe, enrolled in the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe at White Earth, in the Mississippi Band. She has worked at the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) Western Regional Office as a video producer and as American Indian Special Emphasis Program Manager for over 20 years.
Lori was instrumental in the development of SAIGE from an idea to a working organization and was the first Chairperson of the founding Board of Directors. After serving as Chair, she served two terms each as Vice Chair and Secretary. She most recently completed a final term as Secretary. Lori was a Co-Chair of the SAIGE National Training Programs in 2008 and 2012. She is a Lifetime Member and belongs to the Colorado Front Range Chapter of SAIGE. From 2012-2014 she was part of the DOI team that created a training course for the Department of the Interior’s Tribal Consultation Policy. In previous years she has worked in environmental justice, trust responsibility and sacred sites education for federal agencies. She has received several career awards including the Secretary of the Interior’s Equal Opportunity Award, the OSMRE Director’s Award, an Excellence in Government Award from the Denver Federal Executive Board, and a DOI Diversity Champion Award (largely for her work with SAIGE).
She was raised in the Denver, Colorado area where she still resides. Lori earned her Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts and Communications at Metropolitan State University in Denver; and a Master of Fine Arts at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she was the first to graduate with an advanced degree in Media Arts. She is an award-winning documentary maker, and has also done post-graduate work in Tribal Sovereignty and Indian Law. In 2004, she organized the Native Peoples’ Political Alliance, a volunteer non-partisan get-out-the-vote effort to increase American Indian registration and voting in the Denver/Boulder area. In 2006, Lori was given the Inspiration Award by Boulder’s Safe House Alliance for Non-Violence for her work in the community.
Sue Morris – Treasurer
Sue Morris recently retired from Federal Service after 33 years. She served two years with the U.S. Army in the Provost Marshal’s Office at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and 31 years at the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District.
Sue is a full-blood enrolled member of the Comanche Nation, and a direct descendant of one of the original Comanche Code Talkers. Sue is very involved in tribal activities and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Comanche Nation College, the first tribal college in Oklahoma. Sue is also the treasurer for the Oklahoma Federation of Indian Women, an organization dedicated to mentoring Native girls through various activities to enhance awareness of their tribal culture and the importance of education. Sue is a Lifetime member of SAIGE, and has had the honor of Co-Chairing the 2011 National Training Program. Most recently she served as Co-Chair for the 2016 National Training Program in Tulsa, OK. This is her third term on the Board of Directors. Sue is also a member of the Comanche Native Veterans Association (CIVA) Auxiliary and the Walters Service Club, the sponsoring organization for the Comanche Homecoming.
Sue is married to Tom and they are the parents of two sons, Benjamin and Aaron. Sue and Tom reside in Skiatook, Oklahoma.
Phil Hamel – Secretary 
She:kon members of SAIGE. Though far removed and not confirmed, I have been told since a very young age that my family has native ancestry, specifically Mohawk. I have been working at the Federal Correctional Institution in Ray Brook, NY since 1990, with the last 8 years as the Environmental and Safety Compliance Administrator.
I was elected as a Board Director of SAIGE from 2008 – 2013 and have been the Native American Special Emphasis Program Manager (SEPM) since 1997. I have been recognized by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) with SEPM awards for four separate years, the most recent being 2010, and in 2016 I received a SAIGE Award for Leadership. These awards were for my efforts in education, outreach and commitment to American Indian and Alaskan Native issues, and the dissemination of information regarding various American Indian issues both within the BOP and to outside organizations. I continue to utilize my contacts to educate staff on American Indian and Alaskan Native issues, and to have Spiritual Leaders come in to speak with American Indian inmates in hopes of decreasing their recidivism.
Per Ms. Sandra Burks Farrior, Affirmative Action Chief (Retired) for the BOP, I played a pivotal role in getting the Affirmative Employment Branch of the BOP to recognize SAIGE and to utilize the organization to train their SEPM’s on American Indian and Alaskan Native issues during the Tucson conference. The BOP continues to embrace what SAIGE has to offer by also sending their Selective Placement Program Managers to the National Training Program each year. In 2011, 40+ participants attend the SAIGE NTP.
I remain in close contact with my friend and teacher John Fadden and his family, who built, own and run the Six Nations Indian Museum in Onchiota, NY. Additionally, I serve on the Board of the Northern Adirondack Safety and Health Council and in the past served as the Chair of the Residents’ Committee to Protect the Adirondacks for approximately 12 years. I have a lovely wife and two wonderful boys who recently graduated from college.
Current Board of Directors
Teresa Estoril
Teresa Estoril is a member of the Eagle Medicine Band, Cherokee Indians and grew up in the Delaware Valley between the two states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She worked for the General Services Administration (GSA), Philadelphia, PA before retiring with 43 years of government service. Teresa had served as Mistress of Ceremony for the Native American Heritage programs sponsored by the GSA Diversity Committee. This has afforded Teresa the opportunity to educate and enlighten fellow associates about Native American peoples and Indian cultures while dispelling myths and untruths. Teresa actively recruited Native American College students and Graduate candidates for employment into Federal Government Service.
Working within the community, Teresa has informed children in schools throughout eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey about Indian people. Where the community comes together, the Main Library of Philadelphia serves as a diverse meeting place for community people to interact with Native people up close and personal. Teresa has also given Native Presentations to the Superior Court Justices of New Jersey; Various Diversity Groups Organizations within City of Philadelphia. Teresa has met with an audience of Jefferson Hospital Doctor Interns regarding issues of Native & Western medicines.
Teresa has received Certificates of Appreciation from the various community organizations for educating and enlightening them about American Indians and Alaskan Native people. Teresa takes advantage of wherever people gather as an opportunity to teach and educate them about Native Culture. March 2009 welcomed a brand-new Cherokee Language program which is offered by the Eagle Medicine Band – Cherokee, where Teresa serves as one of the Clan Mothers. She along with a family member enroll friends & family and anyone interested in learning to keep our Native language alive by learning to read, write and speak “Tsalagi ” (Cherokee).
Teresa is dedicated to educating the non-Indian community about its 1st Citizens and the scores of contributions by Native Peoples. In 2009, Teresa received the “SAIGE Recognition Award” for her dedication, support and promotion of the SAIGE mission. Teresa is also a proud Lifetime Member of SAIGE. Teresa is working toward her Business Degree through Penn State University.
Danny J. Garceau
Danny is Anishinaabe and his ancestors include members of several tribes of the Lake Superior Chippewa. His great grandfather was Animodoskwan (Plenty Dogs), a La Pointe Chippewa, his great grandmother Maria Osawamik Katchitchi Gadjidji Lamoreaux was one of the many who followed Chief Buffalo to what is the now the Red Cliff Reservation. He currently serves as the Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) Director of the Warrior Society. He is a lifetime member of SAIGE. In previous years, he has served as a SAIGE board member to include two terms as the Chair. 
In 2007 Sergeant Major Garceau retired from the military after 30 years of active duty service with the United States Army and Michigan Army National Guard. His formal education includes college at the University of Phoenix, Vincennes University and Northern Michigan University. In 2002 he graduated with honors from the United States Army Sergeant Major Academy. His last duty assignment was as the Michigan Army National Guard Recruiting Command Sergeant Major. While in that position he also served as the Great Lakes Region Recruiting and Retention Advisory Council Senior Enlisted Chairman. In addition, he served seven years as an Advisor and the American Indian Special Emphasis Program Manager (SEPM) on the Michigan Diversity Council.
Danny lives in the homeland of his ancestors on the southern shores of Lake Superior with his wife Diane and grandson Misajiidamoo (Nish/Logan.) Danny is also an active member of several organizations including; the president of the Ishpeming Alumni Association, treasurer of the 107th Engineer Retired Officers Association, Road Captain with the Patriot Guard Riders, Honor Guard member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Wiikwedong Ogitchidaa Society, Blackhorse Association / Blackhorse Cavalry Regiment Motorcycles, Michigan Bikers Helping Veterans, AMVETS, DAV and the American Legion.
Daniel Holt
Daniel D. Holt Jr. is a Lead Medical Support Assistant and American Indian/Alaskan Native Special Emphasis Program Manager with Department of Veterans Affairs. In this role, Daniel manages and leads a team providing all aspects of employment training, for diversity, inclusion for American Indians/Alaskan Natives. A big believer in supporting Native American culture, traditions, and he supports SAIGE. Daniel is a qualified mentor and holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree from Grand Canyon University (GCU). He is also a graduate student working full-time pursuing a 
Master of Science in Health Administration degree from GCU.
Daniel is no stranger to health administration, having spent a combined 16 years federal employment as a Medical Specialist, Emergency Medical Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant, Emergency Room Telemetry Technician, Medical Support Assistant, and Lead Medical Support Assistant which taught him the importance of working hard, consistency, and value life. Before joining Department of Veterans Affairs in 2004, Daniel worked for a diverse range of organizations, including United States Army, 3rd Ranger Battalion, State of Florida and University of Florida. In this role, Daniel was responsible for life saving treatment, trauma management, researching data, and managing a periodical library collection. Daniel helps Native Americans/Alaskan Natives to be included, enjoy the benefits of federal employment, and protector of diversity.
Drawing on several years of experience in civil service and former jobs Daniel now focuses mainly on mentoring and developing Native American improvements for Department of Veterans Affairs. Passionate about Native Culture and its possibilities, he promotes cultural services that help heal, educate, and reduce stereotypes of Native Americans/Alaskan Natives. He has artwork and research published in the 2000 St. Lucie County Almanac, had art exhibits at the Miami Museum of International Art & Culture, A.E. Backus Museum,and Indian River Community College Art Gallery. He is very proud to be the 2014 SAIGE Committee Member Achievement Award winner.
Sue Marcus
Sue Marcus is passionate about providing information to Tribal governments and organizations to help them manage their lands and natural resources. She encourages Native American students to blend their understanding of Native American and other perspectives on science to benefit their Tribes, their 
communities, our Nation as a whole. She has no American Indian or Alaska Native heritage, though she’s learned she has much to learn.
A lifetime SAIGE member, Sue has served as the SAIGE foodie, or menu coordinator, for several national training programs. She has also assisted in fundraising for SAIGE for many years—and welcomes others to join in this worthy endeavor. She has also been honored to serve SAIGE as a former board member, and when requested has helped represent SAIGE at Washington, D.C. events such as agency diversity days or anti-stereotyping (mascot) events. At national training events, Sue can be seen trying to assist as needed. When SAIGE asks for help, Sue tries to say YES! She is most honored to serve as Co-Chair for the 2017 National Training Program in Scottsdale, AZ (Y’all Come!).
Sue graduated from Grand Valley State College (now University) in Michigan, in 1973. Her training is in economic geology. During her career as a geologist, she worked for the Province of Manitoba, Canada and then for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (in California and the Washington, DC headquarters), and the U.S. Geological Survey (in the Reston, VA headquarters and in Reno, NV). For the USGS, she managed mineral resource work with Tribes, at the time the largest USGS-Native American activity. Sue became the USGS “Indian Desk” in 1994, when then-Secretary Babbitt requested such points of contact within each DOI bureau. She retired in 2009. She lives with her husband and their daughter in Fairfax, VA.
Duane Matt 
Duane Matt is a member of the Confederated Salish Kootenai and Pend D ‘Oreille tribes located on the Flathead Indian reservation located in western Montana. Mr. Matt currently works as a Geologist at the Assistant Secretary- Indian Affairs, Division of Energy and Mineral Development office in Lakewood, CO. He previously worked as a Physical Scientist and Technology Coordinator with the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) in Denver, CO.
Duane is a founding board member of SAIGE. Recently, he instigated a meeting between SAIGE board members and Google staff to provide SAIGE with the latest technology/tools to help the board work more efficiently. The result was each board member having a Chromebook to work with, and use to communicate with each other.
Before working for OSMRE, Duane worked for the Bureau of Land Management (Initial Attack Fire Dispatcher), Scientific Applications International Corporation (Field Geologist), Bureau of Reclamation (Geological Intern), United States Department of Agriculture (Smokejumper) and National Park Service (Helitack/Firefighter). Duane also worked as a schoolteacher on the Laguna-Acoma reservation in New Mexico. He holds a Master’s Degree in Geology and a Bachelor’s Degree in both Geology and English/Secondary Education. Mr. Matt was a member of the University of Montana cross-country and track-and-field teams 1986-1990. He also possesses six years of experience coaching both boys’ and girls’ high school cross-country and track-and-field.
Jay Spaan
Jay Spaan is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. He has more than a decade of experience in program evaluation, primarily as a Senior Analyst at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). In his role at GAO, Jay has focused on a variety of tribal issues, including barriers that can hinder Indian energy development, challenges to tribal self-governance of energy development, and oversight of Indian mineral development. In addition, Jay serves on GAO’s Native American Heritage Month Committee and continues to work to increase AI/AN representation at the agency.
Jay earned a Master’s of Jurisprudence in Indian Law from the University of Tulsa and a Master’s of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Dallas. Jay currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) and served as co-chair for the 2016 SAIGE National Training Program. This is his second term on the SAIGE Board of Directors.
Brenda Takes Horse
Brenda (Mamaloff) Takes Horse is the Native Liaison for the Bureau of Land Management in Alaska. She is Dena’ina Athabascan, a member of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, and a shareholder of the Thirteenth regional corporation
Brenda attended grade schools in Alaska, living in a variety of locations including Kodiak, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Kenai. She attended high school and college in Montana and Wyoming.
Brenda began her career with the Forest Service in Wyoming, as a member of the first all-female timber marking crew. Her career with the federal government spans 40 years, and has included brief stints for non-federal employers such as the State of Alaska, the Kenaitze Indian Tribe and seasonal jobs in the fish canneries.
Currently, her responsibilities include coordinating with Alaska Native groups, individuals, communities, and local governments on BLM’s programs, issues, and policy implementation.
Brenda has often done workshops at SAIGE training programs on Alaska Native issues. She has previously served on the SAIGE board several times beginning in 2007.
Herb Webb
Good Morning. My name is Herb Webb. I am an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. I currently am the Tribal Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) working on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Northwest Montana. I am lucky in that my job is pretty diverse. Our agency’s mission is “Helping People Help the Land”. We work primarily with farmers and ranchers to help them solve resource related issues on their place. In my job I get to work with the Tribe and its members on issues that include invasive species management, irrigation, forestry and wetland restoration.
My formal education involved getting a B.S. Degree in Wildlife Conservation at Southeastern Oklahoma State University followed by a Master’s Degree in Range Management/Botany at North Dakota State University. After completing my coursework I was lucky enough to have a few options available to me. I had the choices of volunteering in Alaska for the summer to assist with bird surveys, moving to Montana for a paid position with the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) or goofing off indefinitely. I chose the paycheck. So yes that started my career and I now have over 31 years working for the GOV. I worked in a couple of different field offices working with grain farmers and ranchers when in 1991 I was lucky enough to get the position that I currently have. The SCS was renamed the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in 1994.
My informal (real) education is ongoing and hopefully will continue for many more years. My hobbies are pretty varied as I enjoy many forms of art and woodworking. I also enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing and hunting. I am also a past president of the American Indian/Alaska Native Employees Association for NRCS. I became involved with SAIGE in 2008 when I was invited to speak on NRCS’s work with Tribes in Montana. Since then I have assisted the planning committee a few times in getting speakers on resource related topics for the national training programs.
Last update September 28, 2017
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