The author's experiences as a non-Native student in a graduate program in Native studies are reflective of his experiences within Native communities. In this article, the author shares a story that speaks almost entirely about welcoming, acceptance, inclusion, and support. The author is a PhD candidate in the Department of Native Studies at Trent University. His return to student life began in 2001, after more than a decade had passed since the completion of his master's degree. His decision to become part of this particular program was based on three factors. First of all, it is at this time the only doctoral program in Canada in the discipline of Native studies. Second, his learning experiences as an undergraduate within this same department more than two decades earlier had continued to be valuable in his personal and professional life. Finally, this particular program respects Native ways of knowing as reflected in traditional and contemporary perspectives.