ABOUT US
OUR FOUNDER
Mishkiki Chichakk Kamik has been a decades-long vision of Residential School Survivor Michael Cachagee. Michael was the executive director of Weecheetowin Support Services and founder of the Children of Shingwauk, one of the first residential school survivors’ organizations in Canada, which held their first healing reunion in 1981. Forty years later, in 2020, Michael began planning to take his vision from concept to creation and since that time there has been considerable time, effort and personal finance invested into making Mishkiki Chichakk Kamik a feasible and attainable reality. Michael passed away on July 15, 2023 at the age of 83. Please visit NEWS section for more details.
WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED
01.
Land purchased from MNR for site-development.
LAND PURCHASED
02.
Finished feasibility and environmental studies.
STUDIES COMPLETED
03.
Completed consultations with the community.
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
04.
Received support from the Chiefs of Ontario and Mississaugi #8 First Nation.
PROJECT SUPPORT
05.
Incorporated a non-profit organization and are working on getting charitable status.
NON-PROFIT STATUS
06.
Hired Idea Inc. for design, site planning, and project management.
DESIGN TEAM HIRED
07.
Completed the final concept designs and site planning with an estimated budget.
FINAL PLANS READY
​In November 2021, the Chiefs of Ontario passed a unanimous resolution to support the first-ever residential school survivors healing lodge, in accordance with Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #21, which calls upon the federal government to fund support services and facilities for survivors and their families.
The lodge will also provide in-person services to people and families affected by intergenerational trauma, day school survivors, MMIWG and the missing and unmarked graves of IRS children, among others.
OUR LOCATION
OUR LOCATION
Mishkiki Chichakk Kamik will be built nestled amongst the cedars and blueberry bushes, close to the shore of little Lake Wenebegon, an hour drive southeast of Chapleau, ON.
The main building has been designed to complement the natural environment, with the central space of the lodge acting as the focal point for ceremony, traditional healing, oral teaching, group sessions and open dialogue.
RESOURCES
The surrounding grounds are included within the design of culturally informed, person-centered care and will feature access to the site's natural features, space for ceremony, recreation and traditional healing and teaching. Creating and using the natural space for land-based healing, knowledge sharing, ceremony and reconnection is of utmost importance. Several family units are to be built on the grounds in keeping with the need for family based support and care.