Kathleen Smith (Bodega Miwuk/Dry Creek Pomo, a member of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria) grew up in the Healdsburg area. An artist from early childhood, she graduated from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1977. Over the years she has held such diverse jobs as park naturalist, art instructor, archaeology field technician, and foods columnist for the magazine News from Native California.