BOARD MEMBERS

The late Michael Cachagee, former Chair of the Board of Directors, and has been in the leadership role since the organization evolved from being part of Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association (CSAA) in 2003. Later changed to Ontario Indian Residential School Support Services (OIRSSS), 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

Aanii, Hello ! My name is Darlene Geauvreau. I'm a member of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek in Naughton, Ontario.  My husband and I have been married for thirty-three years and we have three wonderful children, a daughter, age 29 and two sons, ages 25 and 22.

I have family members at Chapleau Cree First Nation on my father's side and MChigeeng First Nation on beautiful Manitoulin Island, from my mother's side. I'm a third generational survivor of the residential school system as my mother and grandparents attended the Spanish Residential Schools.

I love working for my home community. For the past sixteen years, I've been employed at the Shawenekezhik Health Centre as the Health Services Clerk, coordinating all facets of the Medical Transportation Program and providing Non-Insured Health Benefits information and advocasy. Previous to that, for fifteen years, I was employed as a certified dental assistant in Sudbury, Ontario

I live my life according to the seven grandfather teachings, respecting and honoring all that sustains us.

I believe that learning is life long, and look forward to contributing and making a difference in the lives of the Weecheetowin family and those that we serve. Miigwetch.

My name is Marina McComber. My spirit name is Singing River (Ziibii -Gaamik -kwe).
I am both Mohawk and Anishnawbek. I walk with two totems, the bear and turtle. I am second-generation residential school survivor; having firsthand knowledge of the effects and experiences suffered by our relatives and indigenous survivors. My father, from Kahnawake Quebec, his three  brothers and five sisters all attended the Spanish Indian Residential School. 
I have a passion of working within indigenous communities to promote physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional healing through the wholistic use of  our traditions and culture.
I have been employed with Atikameksheng Anishnawbek Health Centre as a Community Health  nurse. I am strong advocate for our people and  believe that our stories should be heard, and that  we should all have access to the tools needed to heal from the impacts of colonialization. A healthy  family is my priority, having three grown children and fostering four extended family members for the past ten years.
I look forward to working, meeting, and advocating with the Weecheetowin community.