The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan entered into an American Institute of Architects (AIA) Agreement with architect Christian Nakarado, founder of Slow Built Studio, to undertake the schematic design phase for the former Mt. Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School. Mr. Nakarado is not only a licensed architect in several states, including Michigan, but he is also an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Schematic design is the initial stage of the architectural design process where basic features and preliminary cost estimates are developed to determine if the project aligns with the budget and vision.Christian is also a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Indian Council of Architects and Engineers (AICAE).
The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan was awarded a $1.7M Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Grant by the Environmental Protection Agency to mitigate all seven buildings on the grounds of the Mt. Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School of lead and asbestos. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2027. EPA’s Brownfields Program provides grants and technical assistance to communities, states, tribes and others to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse contaminated properties.
The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan has signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning on July 3, 2025 to utilize LiDAR technology, which employs laser scanners for creating high-precision 3D models, to aid in the preservation of three high-priority buildings at the former Mt. Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School.