Secretary/Treasurer Ashley Cornforth

Ashley Cornforth is the secretary/treasurer of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC), a federally recognized, sovereign Native American tribe located southwest of Minneapolis and St. Paul. She is a member of the SMSC Business Council, which oversees the day-to-day operations of the tribal government and its relationships with its members, other governments and elected officials, and its thousands of employees.

On behalf of the SMSC, Secretary/Treasurer Cornforth serves on the board of directors for the SMSC’s Hotel Development LLC, which owns the JW Marriott hotel at the Mall of America. She also serves as treasurer on the National Congress of American Indians Executive Committee.

Secretary/Treasurer Cornforth has dedicated her life to supporting efforts that serve Native people across Indian Country, from infants to elders. She co-chairs IndigeFit Kids, the tribe’s philanthropic campaign to improve the physical fitness and mental wellness of Minnesota’s Native youth. Before joining the Business Council, Secretary/Treasurer Cornforth served eight years on the SMSC Gaming Enterprise Board of Directors, including four years as chairwoman. She has volunteered on tribal committees for more than a decade.

In 2026, Secretary/Treasurer Cornforth was named a 30th Annual National Indian Women’s “Supporting Each Other” awardee. She holds an associate degree in liberal education from Normandale Community College and a bachelor’s degree in tribal administration and governance from the University of Minnesota Duluth.