Michael Cachagee

Michael (Mike) Cachagee is a prominent Indigenous rights activist, speaker, and community leader. He is part of Chapleau Cree First Nation and was one of the founding members of the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association. He is a well known residential school survivor and has been an advocate for residential school rights, healing, and reconciliation.[1]

Michael Cachagee
Mike Cachagee at the Shingwauk Gathering and Conference, Algoma University, August 2015.
Born
Michael Cachagee

Chapleau Cree First Nation, Ontario
NationalityCree, Canadian
Alma materAlgoma University College
OrganizationNational Residential School Support Services, Ontario Indian Residential School Support Services
Known forResidential School advocacy, Indigenous politics

Education

Cachagee attended three residential schools: St. John's Indian Residential School in Chapleau, Ontario, the Bishop Horden Indian Residential School in Moose Factory, and the Shingwauk Indian Residential School from 1952-1957. He entered the St. John's Indian Residential School at three and a half years of age and he was in the residential school system until the age of sixteen.[2]

He went on to graduate from Algoma University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political science.[3] In 2011 Cachagee received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Algoma University.[4] In June 2017 he was recognized as an honorary member of Algoma University. This recognition was presented at the 2017 Algoma University convocation by the senate of AlgomaU and is in recognition of his ongoing and long term service to the university.[5]

He went on to work as a native student advisor at Algoma University College and later at Confederation College as the Dean of Native Studies.[3]

Advocacy

Cachagee is a well known advocate and speaker on relating to residential schools.[6] He was a founding member of the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association,[7] the National Residential School Survivor Society, and Ontario Indian Residential School Support Services. All of these organizations have been dedicated to working with former residential school students and have played advocacy roles relating to residential schools.[8]

Cachagee was on the floor of the House of Commons of Canada when Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered his 2008 apology to residential school survivors.[9] He was also involved throughout the Settlement Agreement process acting as health support throughout national events held by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.[10]

In 2012 through his work at the National Residential School Survivors Society Cachagee called for a review of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and criticized the court process that was related to the agreement.[11]

Cachagee was vocally opposed to the destruction of Independent Assessment Process court documents that were created as part of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement.[12] He argued for the preservation of these documents for their historical and education value for future generations learning about residential schools.[13]

Career

Cachagee has held numerous positions in First Nation government, council, and community organizations, including:

  • Chief, Chapleau Cree First Nation, Fox Lake Reserve
  • Lead Negotiator, Fox Lake Treaty Land Entitlement claim[14]
  • Governance and Education negotiation team, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
  • Political advisor to Grand Chief, Nishnawbe Aski Nation[15]
  • President, Indian Friendship Centre, Sault Ste Marie (two terms)[16]
  • Board of Governors, Algoma University[15]
  • Executive Director, National Residential School Survivor Society[17] (two terms)
  • Chair, Ontario Indian Residential School Support Services (2011–Present)
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References
  1. Narine, Shari (2010). "Who will advocate on behalf of survivors?". 28 (1). Windspeaker. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  2. Cachagee, Mike. "Shingwauk Reunion interviews" (1991) [textual records]. Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association fonds, Fonds: Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association fonds, Series: General Documentation series, Box: 007, File: 026. Sault Ste Marie, Ontario: Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre, Algoma University. 2010-004.
  3. Baker, Patricia (September 16, 2016). "Residential school survivor Michael Cachagee reflects on bid to strip children of mother tongue, culture". Sault Star. Archived from the original on October 28, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  4. "Look who graduated today from Algoma U!". June 12, 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  5. "Algoma U Convocation honours biggest graduating class". SooToday.com. Retrieved 2017-10-18.
  6. "Residential school survivors' healing hampered by bureaucracy". Wawatay News. January 12, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  7. "Mike Cachagee correspondence" (1992-2004) [textual records]. Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association fonds, Fonds: Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association fonds, Series: General Documentation series, Box: 009, File: 050, ID: 2010-007-009-050. Sault Ste Marie, Ontario: Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre, Algoma University. 2010-007.
  8. Baker, Patricia (September 23, 2016). "Residential school survivor says Canada's generosity to new immigrants not extended to original inhabitants". Sault Star. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  9. Fenlon, Brodie (June 11, 2008). "Canada apologizes". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  10. Petz, Sarah (June 4, 2015). "Education key to reversing impacts of residential schools, survivors say". Sault Star. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  11. Paul, Alexandra (February 3, 2012). "Residential schools pact needs review: coalition". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  12. Gallant, Jacques (April 4, 2016). "Evidence on abuse at residential schools can be destroyed, court rules". The Toronto Star. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  13. Alamenciak, Tim (June 20, 2014). "Survivors of residential schools push back against document destruction". The Toronto Star. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  14. Edwards, Bryce; Ritchie, Kaitlin (October 5, 2016). "Chapleau Cree Ratify Treaty Lands Settlement". Olthuis Kleer Townshend. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  15. "Alumni Awards". Algoma University. Algoma University. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  16. "Board Members - Algoma University". Algoma University. Retrieved 2017-10-18.
  17. "Michael Cachagee Biography". National Indian Residential School Survivor Society. 2006. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
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