Nicole Florencia Smith

Nicole Florencia Smith (d. November 19, 2017) was known in her community as a loving mother and a woman who carried forward the cultural traditions of the Manchester Band of Pomo Indians. Family and friends remember Nicole for her warmth, for the way she laughed with people around her, and for participating in tribal dances and ceremonies that reflected her Native heritage.

Nicole was a mother to three children and cared deeply for family life; relatives describe her as someone who enjoyed being with children and who found joy in community gatherings. Photographs and family recollections show her taking part in traditional regalia and dance, a visible sign of the cultural life that mattered to her and to those who knew her.

In the years before her death, Nicole lived in both Ukiah and on the Manchester Rancheria, a place that her family and community have long called home. Her sister Bernadette and other relatives have been active in keeping Nicole’s memory alive through community events, art, and calls for remembrance. Friends and family have spoken of Nicole as someone who could brighten a room and who took pride in her role within the family and Tribal community.

Nicole’s passing on November 19, 2017, was a profound loss for her children, extended family, and the Manchester community. While the circumstances of her death have been the subject of ongoing attention and appeals for information, the way her family describes her life centers on her roles as a mother, sister, aunt, and cultural participant rather than the manner of her death. In the years since, family-led efforts — including memorial art, community gatherings, and public calls for answers — have sought both to honor Nicole’s life and to keep her memory present for her children and community.

Though public records and news reports emphasize that Nicole’s death remains a matter of concern for her family and community, the most lasting remembrances come from those who recall her gentle presence, her participation in Pomo traditions, and the love she showed her children. Her life is honored by family and neighbors who continue to celebrate her spirit through story, art, and gatherings that place her identity and relationships at the center of how she is remembered.