![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Hoag Award Recipients
2005 Dwight Sargent, Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan
For over 14 years, Dwight had been a leader in the development of environmental management programs for Indian Country in Michigan, working with majority of the federally-recognized Tribes to identify their initial environmental protection priorities and develop programs or projects to address those issues. As the Tribal programs on each reservation have matured, Dwight has continued to be a valuable technical resource for the other Tribal environmental staff in the state and the region.
Dwight has assisted the Tribes to address a wide range of environmental threats, including the closure of open dumps and development of alternative solid waste management practices; development of source water protection programs to ensure safe and available drinking water for Tribal needs; identification and mitigation of radon in residential housing; and implementation of an innovative air quality monitoring program for the eastern Upper Peninsula that has been integrated with similar efforts by the State of Michigan and Environment Canada.
In addition to working on specific Tribal environmental issues, Dwight has advanced environmental protection in Indian Country through assisting with the development of the Michigan Tribal Environmental Group and working with U.S. EPA to establish the Tribal Environmental Agreement process in Michigan. He has also served as the Region 5 Tribal representative to the National Tribal Air Association.
2004 Don Wedll, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians
Don served the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians for over 32 years in the planning and natural resource fields. Don was instrumental in the creation of the Department of Natural Resources/Environment, and developed a conservation code to ensure that fishing and hunting activities are protective of Mille Lacs Lake and other natural resources. In addition, Don developed one of the first archeological protection agreements with the state and federal governments, and worked with the City of Garrison on a regional wastewater treatment plant that serves 10,000 residents and protects Mille Lacs Lake from inadequate septic systems. Don represented the Tribes in Minnesota on the RTOC in its early formative years. Most recently, Don has served as Senior Planner and is working on a 50-year comprehensive plan that includes natural resources, education, housing, and health care.
2003 Patty O'Donnell, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
Patty has worked on environmental programs for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians for over 9 years, most recently serving as the Environmental Services Director. Over the years she has been involved in issues related to water quality, solid waste, pollution prevention, air quality, land use planning, environmental health, and environmental education. Throughout her career at Grand Traverse Band, Patty has been a pioneer in a number of environmental programs and projects in Indian Country. Some of these include soil erosion and storm water runoff control, a ban on the use of burn barrels, and pollution prevention and waste minimization. She was also instrumental in the creation of the Michigan Tribal Environmental Group. Patty has been a leader in promoting Tribal access and involvement in other organizations and forums that work for environmental protection, especially related to the protection of the Great Lakes. Patty has served as president of Great Lakes United.