Michael Etherington has family roots and heritage from James Bay; he is a proud representative of the  Omushkego-Cree. Michael’s late great-aunt was the oldest residential school attendee in Canada at 111 years of age, attending St. Anne’s in Fort Albany, Ont.; in 2008 she was one of four invited attendees to hear Stephen Harper’s formal apology in Parliament.   When asked about her legacy Michael’s great-aunt said ‘poonenamok’ – (forgiveness).  Michael strives everyday to honour her wishes, in every presentation he delivers, which include TED Talks.  Influenced by his northern upbringing, Michael has always stayed connected to community, working at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto and the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres.  His first book Finding Your Voice, Finding Your Story: In the Era of Reconciliation will focus on building meaningful relationships in Canada through practical lived experience.  On November 19, 2019, Michael visited Crestwood and took part in our second Human Rights Symposium, Towards Reconciliation.