Kathleen Smith is an enrolled tribal member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She is presently in a new position in the Division of Biological Services at the Great Lake Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC), in northern Wisconsin. Her job title is in ojibwemowin as the Gaa ganawendang Manoomin in which translates to, ‘She who takes care of the wild rice’. Where she implements the GLIFWC wild rice stewardship plan and works with 11 member tribes in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Wild rice is of great cultural significance to its member tribes, GLIFWC focuses on the preservation and enhancement of wild rice in ceded territory lakes. She provides expertise and public information to tribal, federal, state, and local entities. Also provides support to tribal members to ensure treaty rights are exercised.