From its inception in 1988, the "Tribal College Journal" (TCJ) has been a family affair. Paul Boyer, the buoyant founder of the TCJ who published, produced, and edited the magazine until 1995, says the magazine sprouted not from an idealistic plan but from a combination of his own youthful enthusiasm; the support and guidance of his late father, Ernest L. Boyer (then president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching); and a supportive group of tribal college presidents who almost immediately embraced the magazine after its creation. Since its start, TCJ has documented and reflected the Tribal College Movement on Native American reservations and a First Nations reserve and has also served as a forum for the social, political, and cultural trends in higher education. It has guided and mirrored important intellectual debates on educational models and critical discussions on pragmatic issues such as infrastructure and curriculum. The magazine is also the sole public space where students, staff, faculty, administrators, and families across the system can communicate with one another and also voice their opinions, share their stories, and even air their concerns over their cherished institutions, which for many may be the best opportunity for their communities' future successes. This article describes the birth of TCJ.