In this article, I reflect on my experiences as an Indigenous woman researcher coming to grips with colonialism through a post-colonialism lens. I also discuss a study which examines the leadership journey of a group of Indigenous Australian women. The research, which includes an auto-ethnographic approach, was guided by an Indigenous worldview and Indigenous research methodologies, and aimed to honour cultural dimensions such as Indigenous knowledge systems and ways of being. Indigenous women today are attempting to make better lives for themselves, their families and communities by becoming educated and developing their careers and leadership; however, they are thwarted in their endeavours by barriers such as racism, sexism, socio-economic and educational disadvantage, which are the direct result of colonization. These obstructions continue to shape and control the daily lives and futures of Indigenous people in contemporary Australian society. (Contains 3 notes.)