ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on Native American leadership practices as they relate to Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), with the hope that Native American leaders can continue to influence other leaders and improve higher education leadership. It discusses how Indigenous Ways of Knowing and historic leadership approaches to Native American schooling provide a backdrop to contemporary TCU leadership. The chapter also discusses the unique and not-so-unique leadership challenges that TCU leaders face and discusses leadership strategies that tribal and TCU leaders employ to effectively serve their students and communities. TCUs are generally small, rural campuses located on or near Native American reservations. They are usually tribally controlled, but serve both Native and non-Native students. TCUs are environments dedicated to enhancing and enriching tribal colleges and uplifting Native Americans. They have significant human resources. This unique environment creates opportunities for creativity and requires leadership that is humble and open to collective decision making.
