Henderson, DavidCarjuzaa, JioannaRuff, William G.2015-10-062015-10-062015-01Henderson, David, Jioanna Carjuzaa, and William G. Ruff. "Reconciling leadership paradigms: Authenticity as practiced by American Indian school leaders." International Journal of Multicultural Education 17, no. 1 (January 2015): 211-231. DOI:https://dx.doi.org/10.18251/ijme.v17i1.940.1934-5267https://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/9319This phenomenological study examined the complexity American Indian K-12 school leaders face on reservations in Montana, USA The study described how these leaders have to reconcile their Westernized educational leadership training with their traditional ways of knowing, living, and leading. Three major themes emerged that enabled these leaders to address racism in their schools and create spaces that were more conducive to the practice of culturally responsive pedagogy. The study highlights how leaders reconcile cultural clashes and confront racism by using identity, relationality, and re-normed practices.Open AccessArticle