Michael Cachagee facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael Cachagee
Mike Cachagee at the Shingwauk Gathering and Conference, Algoma University, August 2015.
Born	Michael Cachagee 1940 Chapleau Cree First Nation, Ontario
Died	July 15, 2023
Nationality	Cree, Canadian
Alma mater	Algoma University College
Organization	National Residential School Support Services, Ontario Indian Residential School Support Services
Known for	Residential School advocacy, Indigenous politics

Michael (Mike) Cachagee (1940 – July 15, 2023) was an important Indigenous leader. He worked to protect the rights of Indigenous people. Mike was a member of the Chapleau Cree First Nation. He also helped start the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association. He was known for being a survivor of residential schools. He worked hard to help other survivors heal and find justice. Mike passed away on July 15, 2023.

Mike's School Days

Michael Cachagee went to three different residential schools. These were places where Indigenous children were forced to go. He attended St. John's Indian Residential School and Bishop Horden Indian Residential School. He also went to the Shingwauk Indian Residential School from 1952 to 1957. Mike was only three and a half years old when he first entered the residential school system. He stayed in these schools until he was sixteen.

Learning at University

Later in life, Mike Cachagee went to Algoma University. He graduated in 1994 with a degree in Political science. This means he studied how governments work. In 2011, Algoma University gave him a special award. It was called the Distinguished Alumni Award. This award honored his achievements after graduating. In 2017, he became an honorary member of the university. This recognized his long service to the school.

After his studies, Mike worked at Algoma University College. He was an advisor for Indigenous students. He later became a Dean at Confederation College. There, he led the Native Studies program.

Fighting for Justice

Michael Cachagee was a strong voice for residential school survivors. He spoke out about their experiences. He helped create several important groups. These included the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association. He also co-founded the National Residential School Survivor Society. Another group he helped start was Ontario Indian Residential School Support Services. All these groups supported former residential school students. They worked to make sure their voices were heard.

A National Apology

In 2008, Mike Cachagee was present in the House of Commons of Canada. This is where Canada's government makes laws. He was there when Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized. The Prime Minister apologized to all residential school survivors. Mike also worked with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. He helped provide support at their national events.

Protecting Important Records

Mike Cachagee strongly believed that documents from the Independent Assessment Process should be saved. These documents told the stories of over 38,000 survivors. He argued that these records were very important. They could help future generations learn about the residential schools. He wanted to make sure these experiences were never forgotten.

Mike's Leadership Roles

Mike Cachagee held many important jobs. He worked for First Nation governments and community groups. Here are some of the roles he had:

• Chief of the Chapleau Cree First Nation.
• Lead Negotiator for the Fox Lake Treaty Land Entitlement claim.
• Political advisor for the Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation.
• President of the Indian Friendship Centre in Sault Ste Marie.
• Chair of Ontario Indian Residential School Support Services.