This qualitative inquiry examined the lived realities of ten Native American female faculty throughout California Community Colleges, California State Universities, and University of California institutions. This study examined the ways in which participants negotiate their professional self and Indigenous womanhood across personal, tribal community, and professional contexts. Data collection involved the use of semi-structured interviews. Based on the data analysis, three broad themes emerged: (1) A unique syncretistic experience of connection exists between participants and the broader Indigenous collective, (2) academia is experienced as a space for both oppression and revitalization, and (3), negotiating Indigenous womanhood across different contexts and multiple cultural expectations results in the creation of two distinct identities (the transgressive Indigenous female self and the contemplative silent Indigenous female self). The discussion of the findings suggest three key arguments. First, Indigenous syncretism is a distinct way of knowing and doing for Native American female faculty. Second, the creation of a transgressive identity is a form of resistance. Third, female Indigenous faculty enacted silence as an active choice for survival. Select implications for practice and for future research are provided. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]