Michael Cachagee

Michael Cachagee
Mike Cachagee at the Shingwauk Gathering and Conference, Algoma University, August 2015.
Born	Michael Cachagee Chapleau Cree First Nation, Ontario
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 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.

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.

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.