b'LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHTTHE ROAD THATLEADS US HOMEBy Chyana Marie SageLanguage is culture. Culture ishealing. And all of it is wrapped ineducation. Dr. Mike DeGagnW hen Mike DeGagn was just entering high school, his father came home from work and told the family, I just got a new job. Its in East Africa. They packed up everything and spent their Christmas holidays moving their lives to the other side of the world.Even though DeGagn had never been on a plane before, travel was not new to him. His father was always applying for new jobs, which led to the family moving around Northwestern Ontario every year or so.From Kenora to Fort Frances to Sioux Lookout and all over. That early experience really shapes you, he says. Living in such small towns, DeGagn learned how important it was for community members to support one another: Its incredibly important to have each other, and you have to dedicate yourself to the well-being of the community. From a young age, he was recognizing the importance of relationship-building from the ground up, a trait he has carried with him throughout his education and career.16indspiration2025'