BOARD MEMBERS

Michael Cachagee is the Chairperson of the Weecheetowin Board of Directors and has been in this leadership role through out the time the organization has evolved from being a part of the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association 2003 (CSAA) Ontario Indian Residential School Support Services 2014 (OIRSSS) on to where it is today.

One of the founding principles that was a major contributor for the creation of the organization initially and its mandate was to provide emotional Health and Cultural Support for Survivors of the Indian Residential Schools (IRS) and members of their families. This continues to be one of the main areas of services Weecheetowin Support Services (WSS) continues to provide however, this role has now been expanded to include provide similar services and support for those who attended as IRS Day Scholars, Indian Day Schools and Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls.  

Michael is an IRS Survivor have spent twelve and a half years in three different IRSs throughout Ontario. He was also a member of national IRS Survivors who were successful in securing the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement and has extensive experience working with IRS survivors and their families. Michael has a BA Hons. in Political Science and Public Administration.

Ske:noh , Aanii, Hello. My name is Melodie General. I am originally from Six Nations, and currently living in Sault Ste Marie for the last 23 years. I am a 3rd generation Residential school survivor of Orpha Silver-General, who attended the Mohawk Residential School. I attended Day School in Six Nations from kindergarten to grade 3. 

I am currently an elementary school teacher. I have 3 beautiful children, and been married for 20 years. I have sat on the Board of Directors for 5 years and I love the passion, empathy and strength that our Elders/Support Workers have to share.

Aanii, Hello, My name is Mark McLeod. I am a third-generation supporter of healing our people my grandfather is a survivor of Shingwauk Residential School.

I am a member of Thessalon First Nation. I have served on the Weecheetowin Support Services for 6 years. I have also sat on SSM Indian friendship centre for the past 7 years.

I am passionate and proud of being an Anishnaabe man. I work for a Native Social housing Organization for the past 4 years, and will continue to give my time to help heal our people, so the next 7 generations will have the opportunities that our Ancestors fought for us to have. Miigwetch.

Karen is a member of Chapleau Cree First Nation. She is a first-generation survivor as her Father attended Residential Schools.

Karen is also a member of the Board of Directors in the role of Secretary – Treasurer.

Jeannine has been a Board member since 2017, is a member of Batchewana First Nation. Her Mother attended Day School

My name is Roy Gideon. I have been on the Board of Directors for about 3 years. I am a member of Missanabie Cree First Nation where I have previously served as a Band Councillor for 11 years. I currently reside in Fox Lake, Ontario which is located on Chapleau Cree First Nation.

Delores Trudeau is an Elder from the Sagamok Anishinabek First Nation on the north shore of Lake Huron. Delores is an Educator, being involved in this field until her retirement 1990, first as an Elementary School teacher and then finished her career as a Post-Secondary Education counsellor. Delores has served as a member on the Board of Directors of the Weecheetowin Support Services now for six years.

• Delores is fluent in Ojibwe