PROUDLY HONORING Community Heroes

Advocate & Educator

Marguerite A. Smith, Esq.

Citizen, Shinnecock Indian Nation

Ms. Smith is an enrolled Shinnecock, and an attorney, educator, dispute resolution professional consulting on policies and procedures and serving as a mediator and arbitrator in various types of community, family and workplace disputes. She is an advocate for health and justice, especially in the areas of racial/ethnic and gender bias prevention and intervention, and economic and environmental justice. Marguerite maintains her residence on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation on Eastern Long Island, New York, and has been instrumental in advancing various Native rights, economic development, cultural preservation and health promotion efforts of her Native Nation and others. She maintains a law practice based in Suffolk County.

For more than thirty years she worked on tribal recognition, resource rights, and formation and service on Tribal Council. Serving at various times as Tribal Attorney, program worker, and volunteer, she has supported the development and growth of Shinnecock Indian Health Services, which led her to volunteer work with Ellen's Run and other activities of The Ellen Hermanson Foundation for nearly 25 years.

Her local, regional and national activities have included work with SAMP (Shinnecock Substance Abuse Mobilization Project), STAR AquaCenter (Southampton pool project), the Presbyterian Church, including her local congregation and "Self-Development of People" Committee, South Fork Community Health Initiative, Cornell University Cooperative Extension Association of Suffolk County, WEDLI (Women Economic Developers of Long Island), ERASE Racism and various Bar Associations.

She is Vice-President of First Nations Development Institute, a Native community development funding organization, now Colorado-based, which she has served since the 1980's, with work including roles in formation of the Native-owned community development financial institution (CDFI) then known as First Nations Oweesta Corporation.

Marguerite tries to save time to be a good wife, sister, stepmom, grandma, and to many, "auntie", friend and relative! She enjoys beaches and Powwows all over, especially at Shinnecock! She says Kokicash! Be Well All!