Michael Smith lived on the Northam reserve with his family for three years. He attended Greenmount Primary School, Footlands High School in Guildford and the Governor Stirling Senior High School in West Midland. Smith lived with his foster mother until he was old enough to leave home. Beginning work as an apprentice chef, he then lived and studied at Tranby College, Sydney.
When Smith was twenty-two he moved to Broome to meet his father and his family, and he also met his extended family, the Kija people, at Turkey Creek (Warmun). He says 'This move started my journey of healing and then came my poetry writing' (Rimfire, p. 139). Smith became involved in health work in Broome, and later in Perth and Darwin, acting for videos and plays about health issues. He performed in Jimmy Chi's musical Corrugation Road.
In 2000 Smith was studying for a Bachelor of Counselling degree at the University of New England.
