'A huge loss': Cachagee remembered as advocate for residential school survivors

An outspoken survivor of Canada’s residential school system is being remembered for his body of work as a tireless advocate for the survivor community. 

Arnold Michael Frederick Cachagee  — regarded as the first residential school survivor to ever graduate from Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie — died peacefully at Sault Area Hospital July 15.

He was 83 years old.

Algoma University has lowered the flags in front of Shingwauk Hall in Cachagee’s honour to demonstrate the university’s “collective respect and sorrow,” according to a statement from the school via social media Monday. 

“Mike was a husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend to many,” said the statement. “While we are greatly saddened by this loss, as a champion for the survivor community and the ongoing efforts of the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association and the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre, we celebrate his many achievements. 

“We thank Creator for the gift of his life and the impacts he has had on many within the survivor and extended Algoma University communities.”

A member of Chapleau Cree First Nation, Cachagee was taken away at three-and-a-half years old and placed in St. John's Indian Residential School in Chapleau, Ont. He would later attend Bishop Horden Indian Residential School in Moose Factory and Shingwauk Indian Residential School in Sault Ste. Marie. 

In all, Cachagee spent more than a dozen years in a system rife with abuse that was designed to strip Indigenous Peoples across Canada of their language and culture. 

He would eventually go on to pursue his education, attaining an honours degree in political science at Algoma University in 1994 prior to being named an honorary member of the post-secondary institution in 2017.  

Upon graduation, Cachagee worked for Algoma University and Confederation College before joining Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) as its political advisor and a member of its governance and education negotiating team. 

He would later go on to lead Chapleau Cree First Nation as chief.  

“We are very saddened that our dear friend has begun his journey to the Spirit World. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the entire Chapleau Cree community,” said NAN Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum in a statement released Monday. “Michael was a trailblazer through his advocacy for residential school survivors and provided tremendous support to help them through their trauma. 

“He was adamant that the history of the Indian Residential School system must never be forgotten, and he fought against the destruction of the records documenting the experiences of more than 38,000 survivors.” 

Cachagee was highly regarded as a leader and tireless advocate for residential school survivors; 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. 

He was also considered instrumental in making the federal government apologize for its role in the residential school system. 

Jay Jones, acting president of the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association — a group founded in 1981 to support survivors of Shingwauk and Wawanosh Indian Residential Schools, as well as their families and their communities — says Cachagee is “irreplaceable” and that it would “take a few people to fill his shoes.”  

“It’s a big loss. It’s a huge loss,” said Jones. “I mean, when you look at the history of all his advocacy, it’s just amazing.”

Jones adds that Cachagee’s life will be celebrated in some capacity by the survivor-led group he helped found. The Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association is currently preparing to host its annual gathering for survivors and their families in Sault Ste. Marie Aug. 4-7.  

“Even though he’s left us and there’s a big empty hole inside of all of us, I believe there are plenty of things to celebrate,” Jones said.  

On the eve of last year’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Cachagee took part in what would be his final interview: with Village Media's Inside the Village podcast. He recalled what life was really like inside residential schools — and why no amount of money could ever fully compensate the children who were stolen from their families.

Cachagee is survived by his wife Elaine and his six children, in addition to a number of grandchildren, nieces and nephews. 

A celebration of life will be held July 19 at the Garden River First Nation Community Hall from 12:30 to 4 p.m.