Nicole Smith was a mother, sister, and traditional dancer whose life was taken on November 17, 2017, on the Manchester Reservation in Mendocino County, California. Years later, her family is still waiting for justice.

In this episode, Bernadette Smith speaks about her sister Nicole, the night their family’s lives changed, and the unanswered questions that remain. She shares how Nicole’s children and family have carried this loss, and how ceremony, prayer, therapy, and community have helped her continue forward.

Bernadette also talks about the larger MMIP crisis, lateral violence, the need for accountability, and why culture is an important part of healing and prevention in Native communities.

This episode was recorded at the May 5th MMIP gathering at the State Capitol in Sacramento, California. A live recording of Bernadette singing a traditional song from the event is included at the end of the episode.

Thank you to Indigenous Justice for bringing me out to Sacramento to help record these stories and for the work they continue to do for MMIP families throughout California.

Justice for Nicole Smith Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575519814315

Indigenous Justice: https://indigenousjustice.org

Please keep Nicole Smith, Bernadette, Nicole’s children, and their family in your thoughts and prayers.