The lives of tribal people emerge from the stories of creation and teachings about how to be in relationships. For tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) the essence of who they are can be seen in how tribal institutions were created and in how they deliver their missions every day. Over decades of interaction with American education systems, tribal people have learned how to sustain their spirituality within environments that are unnatural to their social and familial systems. They apply this learning to their modern institutions, schools, and colleges. TCUs are public, tribally controlled institutions. They are primarily funded through public dollars and enroll any person who wishes to attend. Most are chartered through tribal governing authorities. Because they are public institutions, many people assume they adhere to the practice of "separation of church and state" that characterizes other public education settings. However, at TCUs no such separation exists. Because of who they are, their ancestry, and their connection to all of creation, Indigenous people cannot separate their existence as human beings from their spiritual selves. In many ways, TCUs act in a restorative manner to encourage spirituality by bringing traditions, ceremonies, knowledge, and symbolism into their organizational life and relationships. TCUs sustain and respect the visions of their founders and lead the way so that tribal people can be Indigenous.