As in the early days of the tribal college movement, tribal, federal, state, and private funding are still scarce. Fortunately, the founders of the movement, as well as those who worked at tribal colleges in the early days, created a template for others to follow. And tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) continue to turn out new leaders who are following the path blazed by founders of the movement. Indeed, for more than 40 years, tribal colleges have changed the lives of thousands of students who might otherwise not have pursued higher education. Since the beginning, tribal colleges have been a study in American Indian tenacity of spirit. The professional lives of the early tribal college leaders were marked by little or no pay, long hours, uncertain futures, and little support from mainstream educational or governmental institutions. Looking back on the challenges faced over the past four decades, longtime leaders within the tribal college movement share their memories as well as advice for future leaders.