Nationality Cree, Canadian | Alma mater Algoma University | |
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Full Name Michael Cachagee Organization National Residential School Support Services, Ontario Indian Residential School Support Services Known for Residential School advocacy, Indigenous politics | ||
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. Mike is a well known residential school survivor and has been an advocate for residential school rights, healing, and reconciliation.
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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. He went on to graduate from Algoma University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political science. In 2011 Cachagee received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Algoma University.
Mike went on to work as a Native Student Advisor at Algoma University College and later at Confederation College as the Dean of Native Studies.
Advocacy
Cachagee is a well known advocate and speaker on relating to residential schools. He was a founding member of the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association, 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.
Mike was on the floor of the House of Commons of Canada when Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered his 2008 apology to residential school survivors. 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.
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.
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. He argued for the preservation of these documents for their historical and education value for future generations learning about residential schools.
Career
Cachagee has held numerous positions in First Nation government, council, and community organizations, including: