Richie Smith

Richie Smith brings 26 years of experience working with the American Indian community to help reduce out-of-home child placements.  Most recently, he spent 5 years working as an ICWA Compliance Consultant at the State of Minnesota helping to train county social workers to follow ICWA/MIFPA laws.  Prior to that, Richie served the American Indian community as an ICWA Guardian Ad Litem with the State of Minnesota for 14 years.  He advocated for kids in the court system while protecting the best interest of the Indian Child.  Richie also worked with the Minneapolis American Indian Center Golden Eagle Program, as Supervisor for the youth Intervention Program for 7 years where he worked with American Indian children that were involved in the court system and advocated for them in court.

In addition, Richie has served 20 years on the Juvenile Advisory Committee (JJAC) to make recommendations to the Governor on Juvenile Justice issues, specifically around American Indian issues.  He also served 6 years with the ICWA Advisory Board as an Urban Tribal Rep.

Richie is an enrolled member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibway. He is a 1995 graduate of St. Cloud State University with a degree in Social Work and an emphasis in Criminal Justice.

Richie attributes his success to developing a relationship with the tribes, the family, the child and other providers.  Minnesota is number one in the nation for American Indian children being placed out of the home. His mission is to reduce out-of-home placement numbers of American Indian children and protect their best interests.